Comments Thread For: Ilunga Makabu Embraces a Title Defense Against Canelo Alvarez

[sayf]

Makes a lot of sense.

But most middleweights would be more skilled than most Cruiserweights.

And they don't usually step up to fight them for good reason.

If we extend the logic, why aren't more light heavyweights jumping at the chance to get at the slow heavyweights?

My thoughts exactly. If Canelo gets knocked out, everyone will be saying the old cliche "there are weight classes for a reason".
If we look beyond the "cherry pick", it's still a Middleweight challenging at cruiserweight. No matter who is doing it, it's a brave move full of risks. On the night I don't think he'll have any real problems as he'll probably be to slick and fast. He also has the chance of a knockout win, as Makubu has folded before to some pretty weak looking punches.

The fact of the matter is, why isn't anyone else taking out Makubu if he's such an easy target?

I ain't a fan boy of any fighter, and never in million years of a promoter/broadcaster like many on this forum. I just enjoy seeing someone genuinely testing the limits and keeping things interesting in boxing.

I worry about what will happen when Canelo hangs up the gloves, he filled the void Floyd left to attract the casuals and increase engagement with new audiences. Who will replace him? As much as I like them, are we going to have to rely on a weak chinned Joshua/Wilder? Maybe we'll have to sc**** the bottom of the barrel and rely on the Jake Paul's of the world to keep boxing afloat. Crawford may be a great fighter but he has no charisma or charm ala Mohammed Ali or Prince Naseem, the bravado of Floyd or the relatable Pacquiao. Spence could be something but I'm afraid the accident changed him for life. He my fave up and coming fighter.

I'll shut up now, at I've lost the point I was probably trying to make...

[Nusky]

This guy has already sold his soul and belt to Canelo- same as most of his opponents of late.

Pretty ironic he made these comments on the "Can't Play Boxing Podcast". Canelo has been playing you dumb boxing fans for years now Haha MORONS

[Madison Boxing]

he will be just like the last few opponents, there to pick up a pay cheque and enjoy being involved in a big event. he'll be beat in his mind before he even gets in the ring, he'll do what plant did just try and go a few rounds and not disgrace himself then they hes proved he belongs at that level. tthere wont be any proper game plan, no real desire or belief that he can win. again its the fans who will lose out because this type of thing sounds great to the casuals, they will see the weigh ins and believe that mabuka is too big for him and is a real champion, but they dont realise hes been cherrypicked specifically because hes no threat, same as last few opponents. reminds me of kovalev fight when they saw there was an opportunity to fight a vulnerable belt holder, he wont hang around after beating him he'll drop back down to 168 to fight joe smith or someone, and his fans will say he is an ATG and making history

[Gamboal00]

He'll look like a world beater to some beating this lumbering punching bag because of the size difference, but let's not forget the much smaller GGG beat his a$s at MW.

The comment earlier that he's avoiding the three Bs is correct. Certainly Bivol and Beterbiev would give him a real fight for once, I think Benavidez needs a couple more years experience.

[SUBZER0ED]

My thoughts exactly. If Canelo gets knocked out, everyone will be saying the old cliche "there are weight classes for a reason".
If we look beyond the "cherry pick", it's still a Middleweight challenging at cruiserweight. No matter who is doing it, it's a brave move full of risks. On the night I don't think he'll have any real problems as he'll probably be to slick and fast. He also has the chance of a knockout win, as Makubu has folded before to some pretty weak looking punches.

The fact of the matter is, why isn't anyone else taking out Makubu if he's such an easy target?

I ain't a fan boy of any fighter, and never in million years of a promoter/broadcaster like many on this forum. I just enjoy seeing someone genuinely testing the limits and keeping things interesting in boxing.

I worry about what will happen when Canelo hangs up the gloves, he filled the void Floyd left to attract the casuals and increase engagement with new audiences. Who will replace him? As much as I like them, are we going to have to rely on a weak chinned Joshua/Wilder? Maybe we'll have to sc**** the bottom of the barrel and rely on the Jake Paul's of the world to keep boxing afloat. Crawford may be a great fighter but he has no charisma or charm ala Mohammed Ali or Prince Naseem, the bravado of Floyd or the relatable Pacquiao. Spence could be something but I'm afraid the accident changed him for life. He my fave up and coming fighter.

I'll shut up now, at I've lost the point I was probably trying to make...

You think Wilder has a weak chin? He took some big shots from Ortiz, who couldn't drop him and monster shots from a 6'9" 275 lb giant in Fury, who took 11 rounds to KO him this last time. Fury never dropped him in their first fight and even in the second when he was hurt, his corner had to throw in the towel to stop him. I'm not a Wilder fan, but to say that he has a weak chin is incorrect. Now Joshua? Agreed!

[sayf]

he will be just like the last few opponents, there to pick up a pay cheque and enjoy being involved in a big event. he'll be beat in his mind before he even gets in the ring, he'll do what plant did just try and go a few rounds and not disgrace himself then they hes proved he belongs at that level. tthere wont be any proper game plan, no real desire or belief that he can win. again its the fans who will lose out because this type of thing sounds great to the casuals, they will see the weigh ins and believe that mabuka is too big for him and is a real champion, but they dont realise hes been cherrypicked specifically because hes no threat, same as last few opponents. reminds me of kovalev fight when they saw there was an opportunity to fight a vulnerable belt holder, he wont hang around after beating him he'll drop back down to 168 to fight joe smith or someone, and his fans will say he is an ATG and making history

The real question in these types of fights is why not going go guns-a-blazing and spark him out? Think of the money you could rake in just from media hype around you as the guy who beat a legit P4P possibly future ATG/HoF? You'll get bigger fights, bigger purses, more attention, be invited to talk shows, books, documentaries... If you're getting paid anyway, why not just take a chance, you literally lose nothing but your dignity if you don't give it your best. It is sad to see people quit on the stool like Yildirim, but it was great to see Amir Khan really trying before having his soul separated from his body for a few minutes. He may have nearly died, but at least he tried.

[sayf]

You think Wilder has a weak chin? He took some big shots from Ortiz, who couldn't drop him and monster shots from a 6'9" 275 lb giant in Fury, who took 11 rounds to KO him this last time. Fury never dropped him in their first fight and even in the second when he was hurt, his corner had to throw in the towel to stop him. I'm not a Wilder fan, but to say that he has a weak chin is incorrect. Now Joshua? Agreed!

Maybe a little harsh yeah, but he has been wobbled many times by "weak" opponents, that's what I meant so I'll still stand by my choice of words.
You could tell Joshua had poor stamina/weak chin from the Whyte fight. That exposed his weaknesses in the same way Amir Khan got exposed when he was KOd by that random skinny guy whose name eludes right now. After those fights neither were the same, and it was always just a matter of time before their chin gave way again in any fight.

[Madison Boxing]

The real question in these types of fights is why not going go guns-a-blazing and spark him out? Think of the money you could rake in just from media hype around you as the guy who beat a legit P4P possibly future ATG/HoF? You'll get bigger fights, bigger purses, more attention, be invited to talk shows, books, documentaries... If you're getting paid anyway, why not just take a chance, you literally lose nothing but your dignity if you don't give it your best. It is sad to see people quit on the stool like Yildirim, but it was great to see Amir Khan really trying before having his soul separated from his body for a few minutes. He may have nearly died, but at least he tried.

yeah i agree it is a shame, but as i said a lot of them are beaten before they even get in the ring and dont believe they can pull it off, they know they are out of their depth. this guy is there to pick up a paycheque and go home safe, no more no less, noone expects him to win and he wont.

[sayf]

yeah i agree it is a shame, but as i said a lot of them are beaten before they even get in the ring and dont believe they can pull it off, they know they are out of their depth. this guy is there to pick up a paycheque and go home safe, no more no less, noone expects him to win and he wont.

He'll likely be making his entire career's worth of money in one night, so you can't blame him. I just wish it was different.

[SUBZER0ED]

Maybe a little harsh yeah, but he has been wobbled many times by "weak" opponents, that's what I meant so I'll still stand by my choice of words.
You could tell Joshua had poor stamina/weak chin from the Whyte fight. That exposed his weaknesses in the same way Amir Khan got exposed when he was KOd by that random skinny guy whose name eludes right now. After those fights neither were the same, and it was always just a matter of time before their chin gave way again in any fight.

Breidus Prescott is the guy you're talking about who Ko'd Khan early on. But I disagree about Wilder having a weak chin. Fact is in the HW division, If a 200+ lb man catches you right, you're likely to hit the deck or at least be wobbled. I don't care WHO you are. As stated before, I agree about Joshua's chin and his stamina. But to compare AJ to Khan is off. Joshua has taken some big shots well. The ones that he is most susceptible to are overhand rights to the top of his head. A girl scout could drop Khan with a well placed slap.