Watching GGG-Murata, I don't see how that was a bad performance from GGG

[TonyGe]

Something I noticed recently with ggg is since his mid 30s he doesn't seem to travel well/adjust to time zones I noticed in particular he looked sickly at the Brook weigh in and the recent murata one. Both fights he started slow got hit more than usual. Maybe a strange coincidence just throwing it out there.

I think it has a lot to do with making weight and the travel. Moving up in weight even if he comes in under 168 will be a plus for his conditioning at age 40.

[TonyGe]

Got to give Murata credit he fought his heart out...

[Boxing-1013]

Yeah, I think that's a pretty solid assessment of things. You have a good eye. I had the first two fights 1-1, with Canelo taking the second narrowly, but cleanly. I watched the first fight a few weeks ago and had it wider than I originally thought for GGG. I think the biggest difference in those fights was the constant forward pressure that GGG applied on Canelo. He fought like the bigger, stronger man and his engine was amazing for the entire fight. Based on what we've seen in his recent fights (Deryv, Murata), I just don't think GGG can fight that way anymore. He may still throw more overall punches than Canelo, but I see Canelo landing the harder, flashier shots. This time, I don't see GGG brushing them off so easily. I hope I'm wrong because I want GGG to pull it out. It's going to a tough fight for both guys.

I hear ya. I think the Canelo 2nd fight showed guys a blueprint against GGG - try to push him back some and not let him walk you down. Murata tried it, but took too many shots early. Derevy tried it and held up, somehow, with all the shots he took, and to me he has the only legit claim to beating GGG, and I had that one close live.

It is a very dangerous way to fight GGG, since he lands often, hard, and clean. And you are putting yourself in his wheelhouse all night. But it is probably the only strategy guys like Sergei or Murata have. Otherwise they will get walked down, jabbed, and then eventually GGG will set up the other shots. Canelo doesn't have to be that aggressive, since he can box well enough while he is being the aggressor. He doesn't need to go balls out.

I think Canelo will be the aggressor early on, and GGG may have some tough spots and have to take some tough punches early, especially to the body. But as the fight goes on, I wouldn't be surprised to see GGG start to control the action and walk Canelo back (if the fight is still going on).

Canelo doesn't have the engine to throw 740 punches like Sergei did. That's 70 a round.

If Canelo could fight just the same way he does, but with a pace of someone like Sergei - well he would be damn near unbeatable, and for a 40 year old GGG, I would struggle to see a real path to victory besides an outside shot at a KO.

So I guess we will see. First rounds will definitely be worrisome for GGG. Later rounds could be worrisome for Canelo.

[Boxing-1013]

GGG has slowed a bunch... It took him 4 rounds to find his rhythm... Then it was a masterclass of adapting and tearing Murata appart... Stellar if you ask me ... He's still a thing @ MW at 40... That in itself is an achievement... He's also a gentleman, something we don't see often these days in Boxing...

At 40 he undoubtedly isn't what he was. But I feel like what I saw vs Murata, was Murata going all out the first 4 to 5 rounds, giving all he could. It was probably a smart gameplan if he really wanted to win.

But I think you see why guys don't really try that gameplan vs GGG, even still. Murata took a ton of damage with that approach, and was basically a punching bag by round 5.

I think guys like Jacobs or a few others could have tried that same approach vs GGG. But you will take a beating like that. Sergei did it well for 12 rounds, somehow, but he took a beating for his troubles as well. Though for me he had the best claim to winning against GGG of anyone so far.

Smart gameplan for some guys if you really want to win, but you will take a lot of damage.

[Gideon lock]

I think it has a lot to do with making weight and the travel. Moving up in weight even if he comes in under 168 will be a plus for his conditioning at age 40.

Great observation Tony, it makes sense to me I also share the same opinion. I noticed at 164 against rolls he looked physically rejuvenated.