Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
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Averaged Fan Card:
round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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9.22 |
9.25 |
9.10 |
9 |
9.25 |
9.18 |
9.12 |
9.10 |
8.97 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9.81 |
9.75 |
9.91 |
10 |
9.75 |
9.81 |
9.87 |
9.89 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Comments
Champion97
Fri, 2020-12-18 14:26
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
Smith has a shot, he has solid basics, goes through the gears, is huge for the weight, Smith's timing is great, he's accurate, and he's a defensive puncher. Smith has the better jab, but Canelo's ability to cut distance is exceptional, his head movement could be the best in boxing, and once Canelo is in range, Smith is there for body shots, with his height and high guard, he's a very good body puncher himself, but Canelo might be the best body puncher in boxing, and even with no rehydration clause, Smith might be weight drained, so body shots could do even more damage. Smith's last fight was tough, but it was great preparation, Ryder is the same height as Canelo, I think the height aspect will favour him in the second half, when he can impose his size, smother Canelo's shots, attack on the inside, but I don't think his own height will be a technical problem for Canelo at all.
I think Canelo will take the momentum in the first 2 rounds, back Smith up with his speed and variety, Smith's jab will be inaccurate, but Canelo will be cagey, throw the single right to the body. I think Canelo will be more aggressive and cut more distance in rounds 3 and 4, will land hooks and uppercuts to the body, do damage, but Smith will land great counters on the back foot, make Canelo throw less. I think there will be swings in momentum in the mid rounds, Smith won't let Canelo rest, he'll pin him on the ropes when Canelo relents, won't land much, but he'll put Canelo on the defensive, throw jab lead combinations, Canelo won't counter on the ropes, but when Smith relents, Canelo will attack the body, back Smith up, and the difference will be Canelo's accuracy and damage, I think he'll knock Smith down with a body shot, won't have the power or volume to stop him, will tire, Smith will push him back, but I don't see him having a great finish, Canelo will still defend well, his body shots will have paid dividends, and the late rounds will close.
I think Canelo wins a UD, it will be a competitive fight, but a fairly clear win for Canelo.
Jonissimo
Sat, 2020-12-19 06:16
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
Canelo has been living on a razor's edge for some time, barely winning 3 of the last 4 and being saved by an all-time bad judging decision in GGG 1. Smith is a tougher test than an old Kovalev but the combination of his cardio issues (he looked spent in his last 2R against Ryder), no rehydration, and Canelo's body work are a major challenge. Canelo's early defend-and-body strategy should get him a few early rounds too but the middle rounds could be very ugly for him against a big aggressive opponent with good tech. plus we know judges love to help him out. Canelo UD 116-112
Jarod Killian
Sat, 2020-12-19 14:56
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
Canelo TKO11
Champion97
Sat, 2021-01-02 04:54
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
Canelo controlled the whole fight, pressured Smith from first bell to last, was comfortable in Smith's range, his ability to telegraph shots is phenomenal, he was in the pocket, against a stronger fighter, wasn't taking punishment, was happy to hit the guard, was patient, got more accurate and did more damage as the fight went on, he slowed down Smith's legs, beat the guard down, was busy for 12 rounds, but was consistent, didn't have to make adjustments. Callum tried his best, I don't think the game plan was bad, he tried to hold the centre of the ring and back Canelo up with the jab, but Canelo's head movement and ability to back himl up and cut off the ring was too much.
vc1088
Sat, 2020-12-19 22:04
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
I can't believe how one sided that fight truly was.
Rapid
Sun, 2020-12-20 14:59
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
I think we saw the difference between world class and elite in this fight guys. This is as impressive as we've seen Canelo.
The pressure Canelo was able to apply with his feet, not taking a back step in the whole fight with that exceptional defence. He saw every single punch coming. He even out jabbed Smith despite being about half a foot smaller.
Callum Smith showed immense heart and I don't want to be too harsh but he was disappointing, particularly in the first 5-6 rounds. Survival mode from around round 8. If you're going to try to fight on the back foot you have to keep the jab out there and he didn't do that, I don't want to say he 'allowed' Canelo to come into range too easily because that wouldn't be fair to Canelo's exceptional come forward defensive skills.
The bottom line, I honestly don't know what Callum Smith's game plan was. He didn't try to dance with lateral movement, he didn't try to box long keeping Canelo on the end of the jab. He didn't try to meet him in the centre of the ring. What did he do? Other than show heart and survive?
I think this firmly puts Canelo at the top of the pound for pound rankings, particularly now that Loma's been exposed somewhat. When this fight was made I was disappointed that Smith was only given 4 weeks notice (strategically in my opinion) but I doubt it would have made the slightest but of difference if he had triple that.
edit: just read champ's post. Personally I didn't see him try to hold the centre of the ring, i just saw him taking steps back. I appreciate Canelo applied the pressure but if you truly want to hold the centre of the ring, you've got to be prepared to trade more than he did. I know that's dangerous against Canelo but if that's the game plan, go with it and go out on your shield if necessary.
Champion97
Sun, 2020-12-20 17:21
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Re: Callum Smith vs Saul Alvarez
He was prepared to trade, his output was high in the first 6 rounds, in terms of shots thrown, it was close in the first half, there was a massive difference in damage and accuracy, Canelo was the ring general from the start, which is why he was so dominant in the late rounds, he pushed Smith back, it's easy to be fooled by the size and think he was opting to give ground, Canelo made him have to step back, as you said, he uses his feet, but it's his overall positioning, ability to make himself small, and throw accurate combinations, which forced Smith back, he was trying to set space for his shots at times, but Canelo was also able to knock him back with the sheer weight of the shots. Callum would have been shadow boxing if he'd 100% gone for broke, no fighter will do that when they have no reason to think they won't be made to miss and pay, Callum was trying to position himself to land shots, but Canelo was never there to be hit, I don't think Callum could have done any more.