Comments Thread For: After Landing the Big Blows Saturday, Canelo Alvarez Is Still Calling the Shots

[Tag, You're Hit]

I've unabashedly stated over and over and over and over that Canelo is ducking Benavidez, as have A LOT of us. And I stick by that. But, after having just now watched the fight (via allthebestfights) I couldn't help thinking that IF Canelo fights Benavidez next (yes, BIG IF, and I don't have any real confidence it will happen), then fighting Munguia first would be a good strategic move because Munguia is a lesser version of Benavidez and would really help to get Canelo prepared for him. The qualities Jaime has that are similar to Benavidez are: size/dimensions, work rate, combination punching, stamina, youth, and power. David has all of those things plus a better defense, better technique, better balance/footwork, greater accuracy, and greater quickness. Plus, Benavidez is meaner.

I was impressed with Canelo's stamina in this fight - even standing up between all the rounds - so he obviously put a lot of effort into that lacking aspect of his game. Canelo threw a lot more punches than usual and never languished on the ropes. So, to me, IF Canelo isn't actually ducking and fights Benavidez NEXT I could see the strategy behind the move. IF Canelo fought Benavidez - and not Berlanga - NEXT, I think that would give Canelo the best chance at winning that fight, with this fight against Munguia being good preparation. And all the rest of it (the reasons - even from Canelo's own mouth - that we subscribe to ducking) would be good for building up the fight. This is all likely wishful thinking on my part, but if it happens like this I'll see the logic. Heck, I HOPE this is what happens anyway.

[1Eriugenus]

Canelo don't want to fight Benavidez but OTH Benavidez sure as **** don't want to fight Morrell. Morrell, he'd fight any MoFo that stand still long enough.

[1Eriugenus]

I think that when Canelo lost to FMJ it had an incredibly profound affect on the young Canelo. From then on in his whole mentality has been 'be more like Floyd'. Inside the ring that has been entirely positive. He always had skills but he has taken his defensive skills & his ability to predict opponents to a much higher level since he experienced just what a level Floyd set. Outside the ring he's also learnt, & for fight fans that is less positive. Floyd always compared himself to fighters he admired like Pernell who were screwed by the system. Floyd's mentality was, 'I want to get paid the most to fight the least'. I don't think Canelo is remotely scared of Benavidez but that is going to be a brutal hard fight. Why fight Benavidez when idiots will pay good money to watch him fight Munguia or even Berlanga? Canelo will fight Benavidez if someone stumps up ridiculously top $. If it happens, probably, that someone will be the Saudis.