Carl Froch (2008-2012) vs Canelo Alvarez (2019) @168 lbs - who would win this match and how?

[apollo creed]

This would be a tough competitive fight and I'd have Cobra to win it.

Froch was battle tested and fought young-prime-top fighters.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo would dodge everything Froch throws.

Froch had some power behind him, was accurate, but he a little predictable wasn't he?

[Enlightened-One]

This has a decision outcome written all over it.

Canelo has better skills, but Froch is the busier fighter with the vastly superior engine. Both men are tough and heavy-handed.

Froch has been outboxed at times during several bouts. And Canelo has been outworked at times during several bouts.

People's perceptions for the outcome of the bout could be very subjective in nature, with opinions varying greatly, based on the quality versus quantity conundrum. It would all be down to personal stylistic preference.

However, the venue of the bout could ultimately determine which fighter gets the nod on the judges' scorecards.

[Noxy]

Canelo pts, he brings more than Carl.

[DrDuke]

In any case it would be close with judges scoring pretty wide for Canelo.

[bobcatbox]

I don’t think Froch could hurt Canelo with anything. If he can take GGG’s shots then he should be able to overcome Froch. Canelo loses a few early rounds but then dominates the second half and loads up to the body.

I’d bet Canelo by wide UD.

[apollo creed]

Canelo would dodge everything Froch throws.

Froch had some power behind him, was accurate, but he a little predictable wasn't he?

I don't think so. Froch looked clumsy and unrefined but his reach, willing to trade punches and toughness would give Canelo a hard time. Froch beat a young Jean Pascal, Taylor, Kessler, Bute, Abraham and a prime Groves. Froch was an overachiever and a very underestimated type of fighter due of his style of boxing.

[apollo creed]

In any case it would be close with judges scoring pretty wide for Canelo.

[apollo creed]

I don’t think Froch could hurt Canelo with anything. If he can take GGG’s shots then he should be able to overcome Froch. Canelo loses a few early rounds but then dominates the second half and loads up to the body.

I’d bet Canelo by wide UD.

Froch was able to take a hard punch and he had the power too. Also Froch has a good reach and a good stamina. I think Canelo would not be very comfortable against Froch in the late rounds of the fight.

[bobcatbox]

I don’t think Froch could hurt Canelo with anything. If he can take GGG’s shots then he should be able to overcome Froch. Canelo loses a few early rounds but then dominates the second half and loads up to the body.

I’d bet Canelo by wide UD.

Froch was able to take a hard punch and he had the power too. Also Froch has a good reach and a good stamina. I think Canelo would not be very comfortable against Froch in the late rounds of the fight.

True. Froch, like Canelo, did some of his best work in late rounds which is what makes this a theoretically great matchup. I think Canelo’s chin is tougher than Groves and Taylor’s and anyone else Froch stopped. I don’t him getting a decision against the technically much more skilled Alvarez.

[Enlightened-One]

I’m merely playing Devil’s Advocate here, but Canelo has only competed at 168lbs twice (Fielding & Chavez Jr.) and 175lbs once (against Kovalev).

And does anyone genuinely believe that any of the men Canelo faced at those weights would trouble a prime version of Carl Froch?

It’s a serious question, because:

• Fielding was only a fringe top-ten world-rated 168lb-er.
• Chavez Jr. was weight drained and has never accomplished anything of note at 168lbs or above.
• The past-his-prime iteration of Sergey Kovalev shamefully admitted that he never thought he’d beat Canelo and only took the fight for the payday. And he even went so far as to accuse any of his supporters of being “ignoramuses” for having faith in his ability to win.

Canelo is automatically receiving an honorary rite of passage to being considered better at 168lbs than a prime version of a dead-cert first-ballot Hall-of-Famer like Carl Froch, based solely on his victories over Fielding, Chavez Jr. and Kovalev.

It’s a valid point, because being great at a lighter weight, does not automatically mean the same fighter is also guaranteed to continue that success against bigger men competing in heavier divisions.

[apollo creed]

I don’t think Froch could hurt Canelo with anything. If he can take GGG’s shots then he should be able to overcome Froch. Canelo loses a few early rounds but then dominates the second half and loads up to the body.

I’d bet Canelo by wide UD.

Froch was able to take a hard punch and he had the power too. Also Froch has a good reach and a good stamina. I think Canelo would not be very comfortable against Froch in the late rounds of the fight.

True. Froch, like Canelo, did some of his best work in late rounds which is what makes this a theoretically great matchup. I think Canelo’s chin is tougher than Groves and Taylor’s and anyone else Froch stopped. I don’t him getting a decision against the technically much more skilled Alvarez.

Close fight.

[apollo creed]

I’m merely playing Devil’s Advocate here, but Canelo has only competed at 168lbs twice (Fielding & Chavez Jr.) and 175lbs once (against Kovalev).

And does anyone genuinely believe that any of the men Canelo faced at those weights would trouble a prime version of Carl Froch?

It’s a serious question, because:

• Fielding was only a fringe top-ten world-rated 168lb-er.
• Chavez Jr. was weight drained and has never accomplished anything of note at 168lbs or above.
• The past-his-prime iteration of Sergey Kovalev shamefully admitted that he never thought he’d beat Canelo and only took the fight for the payday. And he even went so far as to accuse any of his supporters of being “ignoramuses” for having faith in his ability to win.

Canelo is automatically receiving an honorary rite of passage to being considered better at 168lbs than a prime version of a dead-cert first-ballot Hall-of-Famer like Carl Froch, based solely on his victories over Fielding, Chavez Jr. and Kovalev.

It’s a valid point, because being great at a lighter weight, does not automatically mean the same fighter is also guaranteed to continue that success against bigger men competing in heavier divisions.

Indeed Fielding, Jr and Kovalev were facile opponents for Canelo.
Tbh I'd like to see Canelo fighting some young-top smw's like Benavidez, Callum and BJS to see how good he is.

Froch was a very deceiving type of fighter for the eye. But inside the ring Froch was a very awkward, tough and dangerous fighter.

[Syntax Error]

I do think it would be a good fight, but I'd have to go with Froch.

Alvarez hasn't done anything at SMW to suggest he would have the beating of Froch.

Alvarez might well win & it would not surprise me if he did, but I can't pick him over a proven king of the division like Froch just yet.

Froch did everything at 168 except beat Andre Ward, but there's no shame in that, because nobody ever beat Ward & I'm doubtful even someone as talented as Alvarez would have done either.

Froch on points in a SD, as the fight would probably be close & at least one of the judges would vote for Alvarez.