can Canelo ever reach the level of the great Mexicans?

I could've knocked out that paper chin

 

He is on that level. He'd beat Cotto.

 

Offensively, yes.
Defensively, no.
Ring IQ, no.

He's a great puncher, fluent combinations, really good at alternating body to head, but he is defensively weak and offers opportunity for counters all night long.

 

I don't think he will

 

Look at the KO punch on Kirkland. Picture perfect deceiving offence. It was brilliant.

tinman you're right. I don't disagree... but he's taking on very good challenges at what should still be the early stage of his "big fight" career. He's not the type to rest on his laurels. He will improve. He's ready to take on further elite challenges (Cotto). Obviously, he lost to Mayweather, but perhaps there's a rematch to be had there - I doubt it though.

Canelo-Cotto has to happen.

Canelo WILL win.

 

Agreed.

Cotto would be a good test. GGG would be a huge legacy fight if he could get the win, but I'd have GGG in that fight.

 

Trout, Lara, Kirkland getting there...

 

I don't like his shelling up and walking back into the ropes, JCC never did that

 

I'm voting yes , fast hands, good power seems very dedicated too his craft seems to be getting better, he's got a shot.

 

What are you talking about? He started a punch from down at his hip threw wild because he knew the guy he was facing had no defense, then you saw Kirkland drop his hands and try to throw as that punch was incoming, and got completely cold ****ed.

Normally I'd say Canelo sets up his punches really well, works the body to create openings to the head, but he really didn't need to do that here. He just had to throw heavy at the chin - he landed a stupid percentage because the guy he faced had no defense.

 

:deal

 

You expect every Mexican boxer to fight like JCC:blood

 

The key point is that Canelo is dedicated to boxing. If Canelo were to destroy Cotto (seriously possible), people will be asking Mayweather to come out of retirement.

Canelo knew he could take the best of Kirkland and let him punch himself out some before coming back with his own accurate and powerful combinations. He had it in hand.