Bivol, Floyd, Bud, Who fought the better version of Canelo?

Some stats to weigh it up to begin

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Floyd Mayweather 2013 (Aged 23) 42-0-1 526(Thrown) 117 (Landed) 152lbs
Dmitry Bivol 2022 (Aged 32) 57-1-2 495 (Thrown) 84(Landed) 174.4lbs
Terence Crawford 2025 (Aged 35) 60-3-1 338 (Thrown) 99(Landed) 167.5lbs​

Im yet to watch the Crawford vs Canelo fight back, but first watch memory is still fresh, i watched the other 2 back last night. Ive come to the conclusion, the Canelo that faced Floyd, even at the catchweight, might be the better version of Canelo out of all 3. He looked much quicker, was throwing in volume, he just simply couldnt tag Floyd. His footwork in all 3 is abysmal in my opinion and quite frankly looked like 0 improvements across the 12 years since Floyd. Floyd and Crawford were fairly similar in age and both faced two different versions of Canelo 12 years apart.

We all gave alot of Credit to Crawford for his willingness to sit in the pocket and trade with Canelo at times, but Floyd sat in the pocket so many times and was absolutely lighting Canelo up, every return Canelo tried Floyds head was gone and he would receive another right hand for his troubles. As for Bivol, I think Canelo bought into his own power hype and he really didnt expect Bivol to be able to withstand the early power and gradually hes gassed himself out. With what comes with getting the Mayweather fight, he looked in incredible condition knowing this is his big chance, that extra hunger through training camp, that extra hunger of still being a unbeaten fighter, i dont think he gave Bivol that same respect and was not in peak condition although i dont think that would of altered the outcome even if he was.

I think he was in the best possible condition that he could be in against Bud at this stage of his career. I also think however, he too, as did many, believed his power would get Bud running and he could coast through a 12 round decision in similar fashion to a Charlo or even stop Bud.

All in all, ive got it in order of Floyd, Bud, Bivol, for who got the better versions of Canelo. Faster, more active through the rounds, was attempting to punch in combination even though he was hitting fresh air, unbeaten mentality, young and still fairly fresh even at 41-0-1, more at his natural weight when he was aged 23.​

 

Bivol for sure

 

Bivol fought a P4P 1 Canelo coming off of his most impressive run of wins over very solid opposition. Canelo and fans were getting so over the top with it that there were talks of him moving up to win a title at cruiserweight and maybe even fight Usyk lmao. Bivol brought everyone back down to earth with his win.

 

I think timing wise, 2022 period, for sure. I dont think conditioning wise that Bivol posed a threat in Canelos mind where he knew he had to be at 100%. I think with stopping 4 of his last 5, especially the most recent of BJS & Plant, he thought he would walk through Bivol in similar fashion. When he realised midfight this guys not budging, it was too late. I think thats why he is so sour about the Bivol loss, because he knows he messed up underestimating Bivol and it wasnt the best version of himself.

 

That time period, agreed. During his Prime years. The version that entered the ring, i dont think was the same as the previous fights through his own complacency.

 

Bivol without question. I don't think Canelo was at his absolute best vs any of them but against Floyd, he obviously was lacking in experience. With Crawford he had the experience but showed significant decline in his physical abilities/skills. Against Bivol he was probably just starting his physical decline but still had way more experience than when he faced Floyd and was less declined physically than when he faced Crawford.

 

You know what, thats actually a really good shout, even though we all acknowledge GGG won unofficially, easy to forget that Canelo was beaten be it unofficial, 1st fight especially. That probably is the best version of Canelo that we seen "defeated". With that in mind, i now put GGG, Floyd, Bud, Bivol as my list.

 

This Canelo/GGG was close to peak Canelo though I would say the 168 run his actual peak.

 

I said years ago that Canelo had not improved since his fight with pbf and was laughed at here but I'll be damned if I wasnt right. He just hasn't fought guys as good as a pbf that could expose him. Crawford and bivol are elite the closest to pbf and they both had their way with him. Canelo has always had problems with people with movement educated footwork and guys with high ring iq who are mentally tough. Him fighting lesser guys he looked like he improved but against elites his flaws are still there to be exploited, slow feet loading up one punch at a time and the lack of a consistent jab. This is no knock against canelo who's still one of the best of his era but this just shows he was out of answers against the best of the best he simply doesnt have a plan b and hasn't really improved.

 

Maybe I'm missing something here, but to me Canelo never really improved much. His ring IQ and defense got a little better. But he went from like a B+ fighter when he fought Mayweather and then basically topped out at A- level.

I think the best version of Canelo was the GGG version because he stopped cutting an insane amount of weight which is why he had such shitty stamina when he was doing that dumbass 155 pound BS. His stamina got way better, but that was the only big improvement to me.

 

I think what we both can agree on is that Bud is overrated and although not at his fault, timing has been his best friend. Hes still the guy who was losing to Porter, got beat up by Mean Machine who got a gift against bootleg Ray Robison and struggled against a one leg Benavidez.

Canelo is so much less dynamic and skilled today than he was at lower weight classes.

 

That's description of Bud is a little harsh don't you think.