For me this is the best match up of the week. This is part of the WBO tournament, the other being Vlasov vs Salamov. Alvarez should be too skilled for Joe, but Alvarez is 36 years old, coming out a shoulder operation and he was gassing prior to stopping Michael Seals, and the fight was relatively slow paced. Who are you fellas picking? This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected
Nice hearing Jason Abelson back. I haven't heard him doig one of his Boxcaster reports for a while. Joe Smith Jr will KO Alvarez in 4.
I’m struggling to pick a winner here. I’m going with smith being slightly busier and pressing more to get the ud in a close fight
Alvarez decision or Smith KO are the most likely outcomes. One thing that makes me hesitant to pick Smith is the fact that Alvarez doesn't appear to have a weak chin. Smith has the power to finish most guys in the division but he wasn't able to put the finishing touches on Hart who was there for the taking. Alvarez is close to his late 30s now so Smith might be catching him at the right time. At his best I lean Alvarez but not sure at 36 with the Kovalev fights behind him that he's the same fighter. We shall see!
Alvarez does have a sturdy mandible section but he has been hurt from big rights over the top before Timestamped This content is protected Prieto hurt him a couple of other times as well albeit only a bit. He rocked him at the end of the first but I can't remember what round the other time was My head says Alvarez on points but I think Smith has made a few improvements since sharing a ring with Euro Level Bivol and in addition to giving B-Hop a free flying lesson, he dropped Barrera heavily prior to suffering a broken jaw, iced Fonfara in a round in HL reel fashion, dropped Running Man Jesse Hart, and he's the only man to hurt Bivol and he hurt him pretty good too, so basically he can hurt anyone he hits. This content is protected This content is protected
Pretty much. Head says Alvarez but you can't rule out Smith. Will say that if Smith is to win it will probably have to happen in the first 6 rounds. If he doesn't take Alvarez out early he will fall behind on points and lose a decision.