Comments Thread For: Hopkins: Canelo, Ward Would Exploit GGG’s Weaknesses

[SteveM]

Completely idiotic post. I didn't see the fight this past Sat night. But I've seen several weaknesses in GGG that Ward would exploit. The main one being how uncomfortable GGG is fighting on the inside. Monroe had success, albiet minimal, whem he got in GGG's chest. Gennady also isn't nearly as good fighting going backwards. He's not totally lost. But he's definitely at his best when he's the one pressing the action.

IMO, Gennady's greatest stregnth is his ability to cut off the ring. He's also a very accurate puncher, which enhances his natural, GOD given power. But he's not unbeatable. He has the flaws I mentioned above. He's also kinda slow, hand and foot. He's also a bit robotic. What GGG's fans also fail realize is that Gennady has faced a very weak caliber of competition for a very long time. Things have come very easy for him in the ring. So its gonna be very interesting to see how he reacts when he isn't light years ahead of the guy across the ring.

I don't think Canelo can exploit his weaknesses. But I think Ward would more than exploit them. I think he'd dominate and embarrass GGG. Which is why Team GGG doesn't want the fight.

If you didn't see the fight then you might have missed seeing what I saw. Increased boxing ability, better defensive footwork - he anticipated most of Lemieux's fast lunging attacks and maintained range which in turn led to Lemieux's strongest weapon, his punching power, being neutralized.

[hitking]

Golovkin surprised me with his defensive skills - his footwork kept him away from Lemieux most of the night. That said, lemieux's footwork sucks.

Canelo's footwork is not great, as seen in the Mayweather fight and also the Lara fight. But it is a step up from that of Lemieux. But when GGG attacks, Canelo will be more at danger from Canelo's fast fists than he was against Lemieux. Canelo is a step up from Lemieux but I still see Golovkin winning.

Against the Ward from the Super Six I see Golovkin playing the role of Lemieux and Ward playing the role of GGG when it comes to boxing skills. Ward doesn't have the power GGG has though. That Ward would probably get a points win if he can avoid getting hit flush on the chin for 12 rounds - which in itself is a big ask.

The real question is are we going to get the 'super six' Ward or some diminished less mobile version? Ward would need all his boxing ability to get a points win off GGG - anything less than a 100% Ward would be in jeopardy.

People seriously underrate Ward's power. He's not a Stevenson or a Kovalev, but he hits hard enough to earn respect. Even in his last fight. Smith blocked a lot of the incoming. Ward spent a lotta time hitting gloves and arms. And he was in there with a guy thay weighed 190lbs+. And he systematically broke him down and stopped him.

[SteveM]

I see why team Golovkin fancied their chances against Froch - Froch's clumsy lunges would have been anticipated more easily than Lemieux's attacks. Froch would have taken a serious beating and never stand a chance of a points win. Only way for Froch to win would be just to charge forward but not sure even his courageous self would like to ship punishment that Golovkin can dish out.

[hitking]

If you didn't see the fight then you might have missed seeing what I saw. Increased boxing ability, better defensive footwork - he anticipated most of Lemieux's fast lunging attacks and maintained range which in turn led to Lemieux's strongest weapon, his punching power, being neutralized.

Its easy to show "increased boxing ability and better defensive footwork" when there's no resistance. Its the post-Morales loss Pacquiao. Roach blabbed on and on and on about turning Manny into a more rounded fighter. And it appeared he was, until he fought JMM the second time. And when there was resistance, he turned right back into the same jab, jab, straight left hand fighter he's always been. And every time he's been in competitive fights since, he's reverted back to who he is. GGG, and 99% of other fighters are who they are. Off the top of my head. The only two fighters I can remember not resorting to their old self when thrust into competitive fights was Marco Antonio Barrera after the Junior Jones fights. And Kostya Tsyzu after the Vince Phillips fights.

[SplitSecond]

Before Golovkin's weakness was pressure, because apparently he doesn't know how to back up and is sht on the inside, I doubt he doesn't know what to do inside, he just likes to put himself at risk against weak punchers because there's little respect there, still he takes the rounds though. Lets face it most don't know what Golovkin is capable of, he has absolutely dominated everyone except for Ouma where he was sick going in.

[SteveM]

People seriously underrate Ward's power. He's not a Stevenson or a Kovalev, but he hits hard enough to earn respect. Even in his last fight. Smith blocked a lot of the incoming. Ward spent a lotta time hitting gloves and arms. And he was in there with a guy thay weighed 190lbs+. And he systematically broke him down and stopped him.

I agree that Ward has medium level power maybe. After the Smith fight most people on here said that it looked like a sparring session, or a heavy bag workout - if that is what you call a systematic break down then fine.

Virgil Hunter to Ward prior to Smith fight >> "Ok Andre, this morning I want you to get on the bag and I want you to sytematically break that bag down until it squeals. Ok?"

[SplitSecond]

I agree that Ward has medium level power maybe. After the Smith fight most people on here said that it looked like a sparring session, or a heavy bag workout - if that is what you call a systematic break down then fine.

Virgil Hunter to Ward prior to Smith fight >> "Ok Andre, this morning I want you to get on the bag and I want you to sytematically break that bag down until it squeals. Ok?"

That fight was absolutely horrible. Ward could barely get through Smiths guard. Horrible fight, horrible performance by Ward.

[Drunken Cat]

people are writing off golovkin but the guy can beat Ward. I dont favor him but he has a good shot. Ward looked awful vs Smith and if he doesnt improve he is in trouble. Hopefully it was ring rust or lack of motivation but if that is his level he is overrated i havent seen him at an amazing level since the time he fought Froch.

Yes, he does have a shot. I and many others don't favor him in a potential matchup though.

[hitking]

I agree that Ward has medium level power maybe. After the Smith fight most people on here said that it looked like a sparring session, or a heavy bag workout - if that is what you call a systematic break down then fine.

Virgil Hunter to Ward prior to Smith fight >> "Ok Andre, this morning I want you to get on the bag and I want you to sytematically break that bag down until it squeals. Ok?"

If a guy wants to simply cover up and survive, its always gonna look like a sparring session. How many fighters, even great ones, unable to break through and stop a world class guy when survival is the only putpose. Veried attack from different angles. Lateral movement. Footwork in order to put yourself in position to land. Accuracy to split the guard. Body attack ti bring the guard down. If that's not a systematic breakdown, I don't know what is.

[SplitSecond]

Its easy to show "increased boxing ability and better defensive footwork" when there's no resistance. Its the post-Morales loss Pacquiao. Roach blabbed on and on and on about turning Manny into a more rounded fighter. And it appeared he was, until he fought JMM the second time. And when there was resistance, he turned right back into the same jab, jab, straight left hand fighter he's always been. And every time he's been in competitive fights since, he's reverted back to who he is. GGG, and 99% of other fighters are who they are. Off the top of my head. The only two fighters I can remember not resorting to their old self when thrust into competitive fights was Marco Antonio Barrera after the Junior Jones fights. And Kostya Tsyzu after the Vince Phillips fights.

If you have any sense you'd realize he'd obviously had improved. Without mentioning the obvious additions you see while watching the fight, Pacquiao won the second fight without the need for 3 kd's, just 1.