OLD FACES NEW CHAMPIONS
Whilst Las Vegas plays host to boxing royalty, Britain hopes to crown one of its own on a weekend of physically intriguing match-ups.
Las Vegas is no stranger to the fights we call events, especially those involving Canelo Alvarez. This weekend, his clash with Jermell Charlo is no different. This is a badass fight.
It’s undisputed vs undisputed, it can’t not be.
But beyond the ambit of the fight itself, Saturday night may also give some indication of Canelo’s current trajectory. Is the Mexican legend plateauing, or even diminishing?
Canelo is a rare breed of fighter. Even in his peak years, his consistent development made him an unrelenting beast. His ability to study, stalk, and shoot his prey is like nobody else.
He demands respect too. If you cannot stand your ground and push him back, well, no dice.
Let’s take Caleb Plant as an example, a conclusively elite box-mover. Much more so than Charlo. Yet, Plant’s inability to put a dent in Canelo left him almost helpless.
However, several injuries, in amongst some lower-grade performances, have given the impression that this is a man on the slide. Maybe it’s wishful thinking.
It does give an extra additive to a fight that even two years ago would have been significantly wider in the Vegas sportsbooks.
That’s not taking anything away from Charlo. This is a man with a mean streak, and an innate ability for the art of the boxing, crafted meticulously by trainer of eight years Derrick James.
The taller Charlo has power too. Of his seven world title fight victories, six have gone inside the distance. Even more impressive is the fact that two of those have been in fights where he is avenging a defeat and a draw.
Big. Game. Player.
But where Charlo’s strengths lay, Canelo’s command. This is a fight of real difficulty, and one he shouldn’t win. I guess that is the appeal for a man who has conquered his weight.
It is a chance to break rank and write history.
Unfortunately for him, I just cannot see things going that way. As the weights go up, the punches get harder, and Canelo has a point to prove.
In a city that never sleeps, Jermell Charlo might just do so.
