Canelo could seriously campaign at Light Heavy

**Thuglife Nelo** · 09-15-2019, 12:04 PM

Charlo, Golovkin, Andrade, BJS, Callum Smith, Plant, Dirrell, Benavidez, Ramirez can all compete at 175 as well.

Though Kovalev, Bivol, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk are the favorites to beat them all. It takes a special fighter to risk going into the shark zone.

It’s not an easy fight for Canelo. Sure he can win, but the battle test can wither Canelo’s career here forward if he’s not careful.

**Mindgames** · 09-15-2019, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by RightJabLikeZab

A lot has been made of his lack of height relative to the division but he's definitely skilled enough and has the build/chin to compete there. Take the Kovalev fight. The way people talk it's like Kovalev is 6'3" with an 80" reach. Boxrec has Kovalev listed at 6' with a 72 1/2" reach. Canelo himself is listed at 5'8" with a 70 1/2" reach. Height wise of course Canelo is at a disadvantage..but not a massive one. And the reach disadvantage is negligible.

Obviously Kovalev's power and jab are real factors at LHW but Canelo has shown a great chin moving up through the weights. Not being hurt much against an ATG puncher like Golovkin but also dealing with his jab. Guys like Jacobs, Kirkland, etc who have good to great punching power.

But back to build. I've been thinking about Canelo like I do guys like Dwight Qawi and Montell Griffin.

Both around 5'7" with 70-71" reaches. Both built really powerfully. Qawi was known for his head movement, countering ability. Wins over Matthew Saad Muhammad twice, James Scott. Champion at LHW and Cruiserweight. Gave Holyfield..a tough tough fight..arguably could've won.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/325

Montell Griffin wasn't as good defensively as Qawi but definitely was elusive and a really good boxer. But also adaptable. Beat James Toney twice.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/4966

*not sure why Hanza doesn't have a highlight video of Griffin yet but he should*

I guess the big difference is that...Qawi turned pro at 25 and right away was at LHW and Griffin turned pro at 23..and debuted at LHW. With Canelo it's been a gradual thing.

Both Griffin and Qawi were always the smaller fighters in there but managed to still be really successful because of their skill and speed. And Griffin definitely had a worse chin than Canelo. Qawi was only knocked out twice in 53 fights..once in the rematch against Holyfield at cruiser..and then to ****ing George Foreman at Heavyweight.

But I think if you look at both of these guys..I can see a case for Canelo seriously competing at 175.

Feel free to correct me about these guys, I'm not exactly a boxing historian. And lemme know what you think about the comparisons.

I often say this about Griffin and Qawi. More Griffin, because Qawi had something that Canelo doesnt, true lightheavy power. Canelo isnt a puncher at 154 or 160.Qawi was special, hes pace and strength were incredible. But yes, i dont see height as this huge disadvantage to Canelo, hes got good speed and head movement.

**ruedboy** · 09-15-2019, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by RightJabLikeZab

A lot has been made of his lack of height relative to the division but he's definitely skilled enough and has the build/chin to compete there. Take the Kovalev fight. The way people talk it's like Kovalev is 6'3" with an 80" reach. Boxrec has Kovalev listed at 6' with a 72 1/2" reach. Canelo himself is listed at 5'8" with a 70 1/2" reach. Height wise of course Canelo is at a disadvantage..but not a massive one. And the reach disadvantage is negligible.

Obviously Kovalev's power and jab are real factors at LHW but Canelo has shown a great chin moving up through the weights. Not being hurt much against an ATG puncher like Golovkin but also dealing with his jab. Guys like Jacobs, Kirkland, etc who have good to great punching power.

But back to build. I've been thinking about Canelo like I do guys like Dwight Qawi and Montell Griffin.

Both around 5'7" with 70-71" reaches. Both built really powerfully. Qawi was known for his head movement, countering ability. Wins over Matthew Saad Muhammad twice, James Scott. Champion at LHW and Cruiserweight. Gave Holyfield..a tough tough fight..arguably could've won.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/325

Montell Griffin wasn't as good defensively as Qawi but definitely was elusive and a really good boxer. But also adaptable. Beat James Toney twice.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/4966

*not sure why Hanza doesn't have a highlight video of Griffin yet but he should*

I guess the big difference is that...Qawi turned pro at 25 and right away was at LHW and Griffin turned pro at 23..and debuted at LHW. With Canelo it's been a gradual thing.

Both Griffin and Qawi were always the smaller fighters in there but managed to still be really successful because of their skill and speed. And Griffin definitely had a worse chin than Canelo. Qawi was only knocked out twice in 53 fights..once in the rematch against Holyfield at cruiser..and then to ****ing George Foreman at Heavyweight.

But I think if you look at both of these guys..I can see a case for Canelo seriously competing at 175.

Feel free to correct me about these guys, I'm not exactly a boxing historian. And lemme know what you think about the comparisons.

Jacobs is listed as having a longer reach than Kovalev and early in the fight Alvarez was out jabbing Danny.
I'm not saying Canelo can out jab Kovalev (who has a better jab than Jacobs) just that too much can be made of the size difference.

**RightJabLikeZab** · 09-15-2019, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by ruedboy

Jacobs is listed as having a longer reach than Kovalev and early in the fight Alvarez was out jabbing Danny.
I'm not saying Canelo can out jab Kovalev (who has a better jab than Jacobs) just that too much can be made of the size difference.

Exactly. Only belt holder right now that he'd be at a massive size disparity is Gvozdyk

Canelo could seriously campaign at Light Heavy