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Canelo/Trout pick & Donaire/Rigondeaux afterthoughts

By: Albert Alvarez

Donaire(31-2, 20 KOs)/Rigondeaux (12-0, 9 KOs) afterthoughts- Going into the fight, I felt that Donaire’s pro experience would outweigh Rigo’s amateur scoring style. I also felt that it would be Donaire that would be the quicker fighter because of that. Boy oh boy was I ever so wrong, dead wrong feels more like it. It was Rigo who controlled the pace and had Donaire guessing all night long by constantly turning his opponent and never allowing him to have his feet set.

I also mentioned in my prediction that the fighter that had the quickness advantage would be the one to win this high speed chess match. Quickness from the eyes and mind, and right from the jump, it was Rigo’s eyes and mind that seemed to be 3 to 4 steps ahead of Donaire. Nonito failed to adapt, he allowed himself to get too comfortable with his skill set and didn’t feel the need to further his boxing education.

Roy Jones Jr. was the very same way.  He got used to dominating his opponents on pure athletic ability, hand speed, and incredible reflexes, that he failed to sharpen his mind on other important aspects of the sweet science. Take a deep look at Jones’s arch rival, Bernard Hopkins. Roy was and is more naturally gifted, but Bernard continued to sharpen his mind and because of that, Hopkins is the better skilled fighter. Bernard’s commitment, dedication, and not being afraid to expand his mind to sharpen his craft and boxing IQ, are more than enough reasons as to why the man today at 48 is still performing at a high level.

Another thing that I noticed, was that Donaire tasted Rigo’s power early, and became gun shy because of that. Aside from Rigo’s masterful boxing performance, what Rigo did last night is what I like to call, ”Eliminating the Questions.”  Top fighters absolutely love to make an excuse for themselves by saying, ”every time I win, it’s always something, that I beat someone old, or someone that was too young, it’s always something new..” Well, those type of comments are gonna always come if you give them reason to come!

What Rigo did last night was dominate a top fighter in his prime, making it impossible to question. All top fighters, must take note of that. I also want to add that I felt that Nonito would beat Abner if they ever fought one another, but I always felt and still feel that Mares has the best chance of beating Rigondeaux. Abner took the wheels off of Anselmo Moreno quite easily, and Moreno is a pure boxer. Right now, I would pick Rigo to beat Mares, but Mares’s dog fight mentality is what is needed to put that heat on Rigo.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Live from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Showtime

Saul Canelo Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs)vs. Austin Trout (26-0-0, 14 KOs)- I can’t seem to call this one. I keep going back and forth on this pick, and just when I feel comfortable with my pick, something then comes right back to me like a boomerang. My early pick has always been Trout.  I just feel that Trout has a lot of range and knows how to do the subtle small, yet eye catching things that steal rounds. Canelo on the other hand, usually wins his rounds by landing forceful loud thudding shots that leave a big impression on the judges.

In saying that, I strongly feel that Trout must knockout or knock Canelo down a couple times in order to win this blood feud clash in Texas. Point blank, Austin must think of this line, Trout must leave ”No Doubt” and knockout. Out boxing Canelo in this one will not spell victory, Austin has got to know that. The extremely loud crowd will sway the judges into giving rounds to Canelo each time that Canelo unloads his combinations. And let me tell you this, that young red headed kid places his punches very well from top to bottom. Man, I hate doing this, but I got to change my pick . I am now picking Canelo Alvarez to beat Austin Trout by very possible argumentative split decision.

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The Big Fight Weekend – A Preview

By Josh Morgan

This weekend sees an action packed schedule of boxing. With two world title fights on the line and a title fight eliminator. Fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of an exciting night of boxing that hopefully does not disappoint. The most anticipated fight of the evening will certainly be Canelo Alvarez vs Austin Trout; this certainly has the opportunity to be one of the fights of 2013. Read more for the pick of the bunch.

Alvarez Vs Trout

There is no doubt about it; Canelo will be fighting his toughest opponent to date. The Mexican sensation is feeling as confident as ever, his preparation coming into the fight which has been shown on Showtime’s All Access, gives you the impression he believes he will be able to stop Trout. However, i’m a big believer in Austin Trout and in some respect believe he has been overlooked and underated, not only in this fight but throughout his career.

The Texas fighter Trout is a slick southpaw, who comes into the fight like Canelo undefeated. Austin Trout has the advantage of speed, not only his hand speed but most importantly his foot speed which will be highly important throughout the fight. Canelo’s aim will be to apply pressure early on and make Trout feel as uncomfortable as possible, but I can’t see this effecting Trout. Canelo in the past has shown the key to his success has been by working the body of his opponents. However, Trout is able to move around the ring very well and tends to bend quite frequently at the waist to ensure his opponents have problems landing the body shots.

When you look back at the Cotto fight against Trout, how often was Cotto able to land to the body? Not very! I’m confident Trout will outbox Canelo for a majority unanimous decision and if Trout fights very well there is every chance of making Canelo looking like a “B” level fighter.


Tyson Fury Vs Steve Cunningham

Tyson Fury will be making his boxing debut on American national television on Saturday night, with no doubt in his mind than to make a statement in the very limited heavyweight division. This fight has been slowly hyped up with loud and controversial press conferences between the two fighters. Cunningham will be stepping into the ring with a big height and weight disadvantage and is only really familiar with fighting at cruiserweight.

Fury328x253.328.254Unlike a David Haye who has made an excellent transition into the Heavyweight division, Cunningham does not carry the power that a David Haye possesses. For that reason I struggle to see how Cunningham will be able to cause Fury any problems. In terms of Tyson Fury, at this particular moment he hasn’t put a foot wrong (or should I say punch wrong). Every opponent that he has faced on the way to this fight he has come through with flying colours. Don’t get me wrong the opposition has been as good as it can get when it comes to a lacklustre division crying out for help. I’m predicting Fury to eventually stop Cunningham in the fight as his height, weight, power and skill level will be too much for the smaller Cunningham to handle.

 

Cleverly vs Krasniqi

The least appealing out of all the fights in my opinion. This fight is very important for Cleverly if he wants to secure a fight with a Bernard Hopkins or a Chad Dawson anytime soon. Come Saturday night the Welsh WBO world light heavyweight title holder will step in the ring with his toughest opponent to date. The German native Robin Krasniqi is unbeaten in his last 38 professional bouts, and comes into the fight with four stoppages from his last four opponents. Cleverly will be going into the unknown with Krasniqi and not knowing too much about this fighter and how good his record proves him to be.

Looking on Krasniqi’s record, there are certainly no noticeable names on the world stage of the light heavyweight division. But how the fight looks on paper and how the fight goes are two different things. Cleverly is a good prospect at the moment and one of his closest fights has been with Liverpool’s Tony Bellew. However, Tony Bellew was out boxed recently against Isaac Chilemba and out of all these fighters would any of these give a Chad Dawson at his correct weight a problem? Cleverly should win this fight, but to be taken seriously in this division and on the world scene he needs to make a statement not only in this fight but his fights coming up.

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