BoxRec

Caleb Plant - I really cant see anything from this guy that is real threat for Alvarez. He is tall with solid reach, has some sneaky boxing moves and good foot movement. What ive noticed, he is also pretty slow. He can fight backwards, that can be somewhat problem for mexican and prevent Plant from being stopped. Im still favoring Canelo by stoppage here.

Dmitri Bivol - This is real danger. Had unimpressive performances lately, but he is able to throw multiple punch combinations, he is fast with good stamina. Dont underestimate power in his punches too. While throwing many punches, he has opening for counters, which plays in Canelos favor. If anybody has a chance to outpoint Canelo, its Bivol. I am still favor Alvarez to win close decision here.

Artur Beterbiev - while power and strength is not necessary key to beat Alvarez, this will be exception. Beterbiev physical strength seems to be heavyweight level. His offensive arsenal behind powerful jab and punches in bunches can be too much for smaller Alvarez. But Beterbiev has some basic and limited defense and that is the reason why im not considering him as some huge favorite over Canelo. really 50:50 fight this one.

Jermall Charlo - Honestly i cannot believe this guy was able to do 154 limit. Biggest threat for Canelo is Charlos powerful jab. He has also effective uppercut, but you would not hit him with that. Just like Canelo, Charlo is a counterpuncher so it can be long tactical fight with Canelo comfortably outpoint him. Also ive noticed Charlo did not like body shots and the ones from Canelo can be murderuous.

David Benavidez - Ive saw only 2 Benavidez fight and that did not suggest he is a bigger threat than Plant. But fight can be entertaining while it last. Alvarez will probably pick him apart with counters while Benavides will come forward with inaccurate combinations. Still picking Canelo by stoppage.


From these fights i would prefer Canelo - Charlo

How do you see it guys?

All mentioned guys are about the same in my eyes, except Bivol and Beterbiev. All of those would lose. With Bivol the chances are quite even. With Beterbiev the chances are also even, but a bit leaning towards the Chechen. Anyway, in every case we should consider the pro-redhead judging.

Toughest fights for Canelo listed in descending order:
Bivol
Beterbiev
Benavidez
Plant
Charlo

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑03 Aug 2021, 14:12 Toughest fights for Canelo listed in descending order:
Bivol
Beterbiev
Benavidez
Plant
Charlo

The top 3 would be interesting without weight restrictions. His biggest threat is Andrade though. Styles make fights. Lara beat him, Trout almist did, GGG did twice. Just being honest. We've just seen the b.s. wirh Bivol. Canelo needs more tainted beef and he'll be fine.

Bandog wrote: ↑07 Aug 2021, 19:24

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑03 Aug 2021, 14:12 Toughest fights for Canelo listed in descending order:
Bivol
Beterbiev
Benavidez
Plant
Charlo

The top 3 would be interesting without weight restrictions. His biggest threat is Andrade though. Styles make fights. Lara beat him, Trout almist did, GGG did twice. Just being honest. We've just seen the b.s. wirh Bivol. Canelo needs more tainted beef and he'll be fine.

I’m not going to discuss the Lara, Trout and GGG bouts, because they’re ancient history and the forum have been excessively commenting on these fights for several years now.

But I will ask you about Andrade?

Who has he beaten to validate his talent?

I absolutely cannot stand Canelo, but there is nobody from 154 to 168 who can beat him. He needs to go up to 175 pounds and stay there--- that way he is facing people who remotely stand a chance and where he is actually being tested.

Kinda depends on if you list them in a hypothetical world with fair judging or in the real world.

With fair judging i think bivol is the biggest threat, then beterb, then the other 3 left behind at a simular threat levle.

With reality judging i think Beterb is by far the biggest threat (even though i think his power is over rated, i still think its the best), then bivol, then benevidez and charlo, then plant is almost zero threat.

Plant - no chance
Bivol - some chance
Beterbiev - some chance
Charlo - no chance
Benavidez - no chance

Bivol & Plant are the only ones within the bunch that should provide Canelo with a tough fight. Let’s all first remember that Canelo already goes into every fight now with scorecards basically in his pocket but I think these two have the ability to do things noteworthy within a fight which make those crooked judges question “wait, how can I possibly give THIS round to Canelo without clearly identifying myself as a bought judge”?

Unfortunately, this is the Boxing era we are in. The top P4P fighter means way too much money to so many people to ever lose a close fight. Sad but true. I’m afraid that Canelo would have to glaringly lose a fight these days in order to not have his hand raised. Anything remotely close is a win or at worse, a draw.

Canelo has no business knocking around 175lbs
But fair play to him he’s willing to go there

At his best he’s a 160lb fighter (if not making 154)
Going to 175 is crazy aside from being in the money fights and testing himself

All 5 fighters are legit threats to Canelo. They are all interesting matchups. I agree with Wales that 168 should be Canelo’s top weight class, pragmatically. But, he may suck a couple of targets down to catchweights.

Contrary to popular opinion, Canelo is definitely beatable at 168.