Cuauhtemoc1520's take on this weekend 7/12/2014

[northstar]

Comparing the compubox stats from this fight to Mayweather's (and a few of Pbf other bouts) I noticed that usually both Lara and Floyd, in relation to their opponents, throw less punches. They also keep their opponents' connect percentages pretty low. The one difference being, Mayweather usually lands at an extremely high rate.

I've found myself saying that if Lara threw more punches he would've won the fight, but I didn't take into consideration that throwing more doesn't mean you'll land those punches. Although he was landing at a higher percentage than Alvarez, he really wasn't as efficient as he normally is.

[CubanGuyNYC]

First off, Berto and anyone else can have an opinion if you can. Joe Goosen, another one who thought Canelo won, who knows more about boxing than you and I have forgotten.

Yes.

Second, judging is SUBJECTIVE. This isn't a mathematical equation as you are making it out to be. There are rules and guidelines as to how you should judge a fight, but different people hold some over others.

Awesome.

For example, if a boxer lands 15 jabs in a round, then in that same round, the other fighter lands one hard shot that seems to stun that fighter, who do you give the round to?

One of the most difficult decisions, and one I've struggled with many times. As I explained last night, everyone has a different impression of moments like that and many more.

It's like two dudes watching a woman walk by. One guy says, "Man, she's hot." The other says, "She's aiight." The first guy says, "Look at that ass." The other guy says, "I'm a breast man." And on it goes. People are naturally drawn to different things and interpret what they see within their own consciousness.

[northstar]

Yes.



Awesome.



One of the most difficult decisions, and one I've struggled with many times. As I explained last night, everyone has a different impression of moments like that and many more.

It's like two dudes watching a woman walk by. One guy says, "Man, she's hot." The other says, "She's aiight." The first guy says, "Look at that ass." The other guy says, "I'm a breast man." And on it goes. People are naturally drawn to different things and interpret what they see within their own consciousness.

The fight being close has allowed a lot of personal biases to come into play; not only in terms of boxing style preference either.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Man, you really nailed it. The "it" factor I can see from a mile away and this kid has it.

Also, he does something that I think is very underrated and very difficult for boxers to do.

He sets amazing traps, he will do something over and over, then switch it and it's like his opponents walk into shots, rather than him seeking them out. I think that's why he is more of a counter puncher by trade, because he has a knack of capitalizing on your mistakes.

That upper cut vs Lara and 2 or 3 vs Trout were things of beauty where he changed the punch to land it.

I agree on everything else you said though.

This is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading your posts, bro. I learn something. I don't know enough about the art of boxing to make those kind of observations and break it down like that. Very nice. Thank you.

I like to think that I've been around long enough -- not just with boxing, but in other areas -- where I can recognize quality when I see it. Sometimes I'm wrong -- we all are -- but I think I've learned a thing or two. Canelo might implode, but I'm seeing something with him. His popularity isn't just due to the Mexican fanbase. He has that quality leaders are made from. Lara doesn't have that. In all fairness, 99.9% of the general population doesn't.

[CubanGuyNYC]

The fight being close has allowed a lot of personal biases to come into play; not only in terms of boxing style preference either.

Totally. Most people thought it was a close fight, whatever side of the fence they were on. Those swing rounds were influenced by biases, whether people want to acknowledge that or not.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Comparing the compubox stats from this fight to Mayweather's (and a few of Pbf other bouts) I noticed that usually both Lara and Floyd, in relation to their opponents, throw less punches. They also keep their opponents' connect percentages pretty low. The one difference being, Mayweather usually lands at an extremely high rate.

I've found myself saying that if Lara threw more punches he would've won the fight, but I didn't take into consideration that throwing more doesn't mean you'll land those punches. Although he was landing at a higher percentage than Alvarez, he really wasn't as efficient as he normally is.

Floyd is deadly accurate with his shots.

The bold is a very perceptive statement, although one could argue that more punches means more connects, at least at around the same percentage rate as the final numbers indicate.

[Dinamita 03]

Comparing the compubox stats from this fight to Mayweather's (and a few of Pbf other bouts) I noticed that usually both Lara and Floyd, in relation to their opponents, throw less punches. They also keep their opponents' connect percentages pretty low. The one difference being, Mayweather usually lands at an extremely high rate.

I've found myself saying that if Lara threw more punches he would've won the fight, but I didn't take into consideration that throwing more doesn't mean you'll land those punches. Although he was landing at a higher percentage than Alvarez, he really wasn't as efficient as he normally is.

Lara ,IMO saw something in Alvarez that didn't allow him to be more aggressive. Whether he realized Alvarez is a better boxer than he realized and knew he will be placing himself at risk had he opened up even more. If he truly felt comfortable and confident he was the better boxer he would have made him pay and not been as economical with his output.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

This is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading your posts, bro. I learn something. I don't know enough about the art of boxing to make those kind of observations and break it down like that. Very nice. Thank you.

I like to think that I've been around long enough -- not just with boxing, but in other areas -- where I can recognize quality when I see it. Sometimes I'm wrong -- we all are -- but I think I've learned a thing or two. Canelo might implode, but I'm seeing something with him. His popularity isn't just due to the Mexican fanbase. He has that quality leaders are made from. Lara doesn't have that. In all fairness, 99.9% of the general population doesn't.

Thanks man I really appreciate that and I try and study the game. Boxing is so complex, people think it's one thing and then it turns into something completely different when you become a trainer. As a boxer I thought I knew about boxing, I just knew how to fight...if that makes any sense.

Now I'm actually learning about the sport.

Go to 6:37 and watch as Canelo slips the left, then tries the right hand but Trout ducks it. Trout had been doing that in all of the previous rounds, so in an instant, he slips the right and changes it to an uppercut. That's more than instinct, that's learning and setting traps.

If it was muscle memory, he would continue throwing the right hand, instead he throws the upper cut.

Got o 4:23 where he lands an uppercut from distance. That's a dangerous punch, because it's just like throwing a right hook. You are wide open for a counter left cross, or left hook from an orthodox fighter. If you watch though, he leads him into the shot, so it's not risky. Can't teach that. He also sets it up with this little feint from the left hand, which he just flicks out occasionally.

There's another uppercut that is the best punch of the fight from Canelo, even better than the knock down. I can't find it because the person who made the video only has a few rounds. It's a thing of beauty, he actually throws the punch to a spot where Trout's head isn't even there yet.

Music is terrible whoever made the video...lol

[northstar]

Lara ,IMO saw something in Alvarez that didn't allow him to be more aggressive. Whether he realized Alvarez is a better boxer than he realized and knew he will be placing himself at risk had he opened up even more. If he truly felt comfortable and confident he was the better boxer he would have made him pay and not been as economical with his output.

That's what I was alluding to. Canelo is a solid fighter,with good counter punching skills; hence the reason why Lara's connect percentage was lower than usual. If Lara had started winging blows, there's a good chance he would've gotten laid out.

Looking back, both men showed respect for one another's abilities in the ring. Canelo, IMO, could've pressed harder and cut off the ring better, but showed reservations because that would put him in the line of fire. Lara could've thrown more, but as was said above, didn't want to risk getting hit with something big.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

That's what I was alluding to. Canelo is a solid fighter,with good counter punching skills; hence the reason why Lara's connect percentage was lower than usual. If Lara had started winging blows, there's a good chance he would've gotten laid out.

Looking back, both men showed respect for one another's abilities in the ring. Canelo, IMO, could've pressed harder and cut off the ring better, but showed reservations because that would put him in the line of fire. Lara could've thrown more, but as was said above, didn't want to risk getting hit with something big.

I mean this pretty much nails it. Canelo had to take more chances, but so did Lara. In the end, it wasn't a good fight. Boring for my taste and I don't want to see a rematch.

Bring on Canelo vs Cotto. The young lion vs the old veteran.