Eleider Alvarez - terrible generalization but hear me out

Eleider Alvarez is the second South American fighter in just the past month to perform in an almost confused, distracted and unfocused, even uncaring manner. Why is this?

We have seen this before from South American fighters, Mayorga comes to mind. Even Duran's No Mas performance was baffling. I'm sure many of you can think of quite a few more. Why is this? Why would you not bet the house when fighters from Central and South America step into the ring?

I think in large part it is due to the culture. Macho is a big part of the culture. Show no weakness. You are your own man. Shrug off difficulties. Vulnerability is weakness. For many of these guys it would seem the worst thing they could do is show great effort and fail. Coupled with the poverty that most of these guys come from and you get a highly unpredictable effort.

I don't believe for a second it is because they don't care. It is the opposite. They care too much without wanting to show vulnerability. Viewed in proper context, take Venezuala, for example, how could Uz be truly disappointed with a loss when compared to what his countrymen are dealing with on a daily basis to survive.

Obviously, each fighter is an individual, so this is a gross generalization but I think this is why you seem to see some puzzling efforts by many Central and South American fighters. Certainly one can extend this to Africa as well. So, the key indicators seem to be extreme poverty where one has already realized success not previously imagined and cultural expression, for that strata of their society, that shuns vulnerability because vulnerability has serious consequences in a real-world setting.

 

That's a bit too extreme. The main reason why Kovalev beat Alvarez so easily is because he took away Alvarez's best punch, the jab.

 

Actually it was the gameplan. Alvarez won the first fight because Kov pretty much tired himself out so Alvarez tried to do the same thing to win again but Kov fought smarter. Alvarez could have tried to execute a bit better in the early rounds but this plan was bound to fail anyway. By the 7th round he should have gone into panic mode and tried something else but it was way too late by that point. He almost got stopped in the 11th/12th. It wasn't a lazy uninspired performance, it was just using the wrong tactic and not changing.

Boxing can better be understood through technique and planning. Not culture and origin.

 

It was crazy Kovalev came in Career best shape. Alvarez's face looked like Amanda Nunes last night before he looked Trinidad/Tua. Kovalev Proved to be World champion. Buddy Mcgirt or Virgil Hunter are probably best coaches for Kovalev. I really hope we get to see him vs Beterbiev, Bivol, or Nail Next.

I hope the skirt was lying for boxings sake. IDK if Kovalev will be locked away like many other Pros.

 

He took away the jab and Alvarez seemingly banked 100% -- literally everything -- on Kovalev gassing and Alvarez again landing another overhand over the top of Kovs jab before he could pull it back to guard. And I think more than anything, McGirts advice of constantly touching Alvarez up took him way out of his depth and allowed Kovalev to start really hurting Alvarez to the effect of Alvarez not even being willing to open up offensively - at all - save for a few momentary spurts late in the fight. Alvarez gameplan was awful while McGirt s simple advice was so on point amd effective.

 

"But Alvarez has elite skills they said " lol waiting for a one shot all night yea Definitely some "skills"

 

This is also the most frustrating thing about Kovalev. He's so good that the advice he needs to win is simple. If he just did this in the first Alvarez fight he would have won even easier.

 

No he really does HAVE elite skills. He didnt lose because of a lack in that department, he lost because he and his training team had one of the worst gameplans ever and assumed Kovalev would continue his bad habits in camp. In retrospect very stupid assumptions for such a formerly feared and dominant champ

 

he could of easily been on vodka binges and not focused though.

 

Ok lets remember this if he does step up again either to bivol or Gvozdyk and does the same thing again all over again. And loses does he still have "Elite " skills

 

he beat ward by outboxing him in the 1st, and handled the craftiest fighter of all times in hopkins. so yeh he has elite skills. they all have elite skills those fighters are fresher than kovalev (factors)

 

I'm talking about Alvarez

 

You know what they saying about assumptions, and how they make an ass out of u and me.

 

We're talking about two different things. You are talking Xs and Os/tactics. I'm talking about muddled efforts when so much is on the line.

Apples and oranges. I have already said why I thought Kov won, better execution, stayed focused, better shape, stuck the jab, neutralized EA's power, etc. That's not what I am talking about here. Bigger picture.

 

Oh right, i dont think he has elite skills, good skills with speed, toughness and power.