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I think Alvarez deserves to be the favourite for this one. Rhodes is more skilled but I think he can be caught and his chin hasn't always looked solid (not that I consider it glass, it's more like he actually has an inconsistent punch resistance, if that's possible). But Rhodes does have the style to give him problems and the power to catch him with the kind of shot that can win the fight.
As for those questioning Rhodes' credentials, some things to remember:
1. Jamie Moore was the top ranked contender at 154 in the WBC rankings a couple of years ago. He was rated number 2 and the number 1 position was vacant. This was when Martinez held the belt. Martinez considered having a voluntary defence against Moore, but they couldn't agree on money and so Moore's people appealed to the WBC for the mandatory position. The WBC ordered that Rhodes fought Moore in what was to be a final eliminator, which Rhodes won. The WBC didn't give him mandatory status, instead preferring to give the position to JCC Jr for no reason at all.
2. People can say that the titles mean nothing and the orgs are corrupt, and so what does it matter who wins eliminators or where people are ranked. I think it still matters because some boxers can't get fights with the top names or even other contenders, and so they have to go through the route of fighting their way up the rankings of an organisation. Carl Froch was in the exact same position a few years ago, unable to get big fights, and considered below world class by everyone. He now has had fights with Pascal (current champ), Taylor (former champ), Dirrell (Olympic medalist), Kessler (former champ), Abraham (former champ) and soon to face Glen Johnson (former champ) as well as having earned a shot at Calzaghe who didn't face him. The ONLY reason he was able to get the ball rolling in the first place is because he worked his way up the WBC rankings by facing who they told him to face. If that possibility didn't exist then everyone would still dismiss him as subpar, too slow, no defence, no skill etc.
The orgs are a bad thing for the sport overall, but I do think it's good if those who win eliminators and work their way up the rankings get their shot, because sometimes that's their only way of proving how good they are.
3. For people critical of Rhodes' resume, I'd say that it's better than Canelo's. Rhodes' best win is Jamie Moore, I'd say Canelo's best win is probably Baldomir, who is about the same level as Piccorillo, both being past-prime former 147 champs who didn't hold the belt for long and didn't have much power. Moore easily beat Piccirillo and also holds wins over Macklin (currently top 10 at MW) and Lujan (not a great fighter but had a couple of title shots).
I think it's ****** for the poster above to criticise Rhodes for losing a competitive decision to Otis Grant. Rhodes was the same age then as Canelo is now, and the fight was at 160. I don't see Canelo being able to beat that version of Otis Grant either, but what do I know? I actually watched him fight, you geniuses and your boxrec must know better
Rhodes has earned his shot, is a top contender and is more skillful and hits much harder than anyone Alvarez has faced. He's not a guy being made to move up one or even two divisions and while I don't see him as elite or anything like that, he'll be a big test for Alvarez.
As for those questioning Rhodes' credentials, some things to remember:
1. Jamie Moore was the top ranked contender at 154 in the WBC rankings a couple of years ago. He was rated number 2 and the number 1 position was vacant. This was when Martinez held the belt. Martinez considered having a voluntary defence against Moore, but they couldn't agree on money and so Moore's people appealed to the WBC for the mandatory position. The WBC ordered that Rhodes fought Moore in what was to be a final eliminator, which Rhodes won. The WBC didn't give him mandatory status, instead preferring to give the position to JCC Jr for no reason at all.
2. People can say that the titles mean nothing and the orgs are corrupt, and so what does it matter who wins eliminators or where people are ranked. I think it still matters because some boxers can't get fights with the top names or even other contenders, and so they have to go through the route of fighting their way up the rankings of an organisation. Carl Froch was in the exact same position a few years ago, unable to get big fights, and considered below world class by everyone. He now has had fights with Pascal (current champ), Taylor (former champ), Dirrell (Olympic medalist), Kessler (former champ), Abraham (former champ) and soon to face Glen Johnson (former champ) as well as having earned a shot at Calzaghe who didn't face him. The ONLY reason he was able to get the ball rolling in the first place is because he worked his way up the WBC rankings by facing who they told him to face. If that possibility didn't exist then everyone would still dismiss him as subpar, too slow, no defence, no skill etc.
The orgs are a bad thing for the sport overall, but I do think it's good if those who win eliminators and work their way up the rankings get their shot, because sometimes that's their only way of proving how good they are.
3. For people critical of Rhodes' resume, I'd say that it's better than Canelo's. Rhodes' best win is Jamie Moore, I'd say Canelo's best win is probably Baldomir, who is about the same level as Piccorillo, both being past-prime former 147 champs who didn't hold the belt for long and didn't have much power. Moore easily beat Piccirillo and also holds wins over Macklin (currently top 10 at MW) and Lujan (not a great fighter but had a couple of title shots).
I think it's ****** for the poster above to criticise Rhodes for losing a competitive decision to Otis Grant. Rhodes was the same age then as Canelo is now, and the fight was at 160. I don't see Canelo being able to beat that version of Otis Grant either, but what do I know? I actually watched him fight, you geniuses and your boxrec must know better
Rhodes has earned his shot, is a top contender and is more skillful and hits much harder than anyone Alvarez has faced. He's not a guy being made to move up one or even two divisions and while I don't see him as elite or anything like that, he'll be a big test for Alvarez.
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