Let’s look at how Canelo Alvarez adapts his defensive posture, footwork, and punch selection when facing taller opponents who rely on volume, from Bivol to Berlanga.
He can be subtle at times in there Alvarez and on his day, a heck of a technically competent boxer.
Some of the moves he pulls off in the ring are at the very highest level.
Some notes on the above;
- Canelo gives away height and reach but compensates with head movement and slips
- Against Bivol, he struggled to land clean because Bivol kept distance
- Canelo Alvarez steps in behind feints rather than reaching with his jab
- He relies on body shots to slow high-volume punchers
- His guard tightens against rangy opponents, keeping hands high
- His punch output drops dramatically against movers
- He uses lateral steps to cut angles rather than chase
- Against Bivol, he landed single-digit punches in several rounds
- He adjusts mid-fight, switching from head hunting to body work
- His best success comes when he forces trades at mid-range
That Bivol fight though he had just been in there against a boxer far too big for him in a division at 175 pounds he should have never gone near.
He understands that too.
In the Terence Crawford defeat last year it had been different though.
In that UD points loss Canelo just got beat by a much better boxer, and then some.
Big difference.
Alvarez returns against Christian Mbilli soon and surely shall look to make adjustments from the Bud defeat last year.
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