1972 Bob Foster vs 2021 Saul Canelo Alvarez at 175 lbs, 15 rounds.

This comparison cannot turn out well for Canelo. It does have Dick Tiger written all over it.

 

If Canelo beats up Makabu, I’ll back him to beat Foster.

 

Yeah, coz Makabu is comparable to Foster.

 

Because Foster never beat anyone as good as Canelo.

 

Id favor Foster by decapitation as of right now, but if Canelo starts making a mark at 175-190 I would have to reconsider this.

 

I’m not sure that Alvarez has beaten anyone at higher weights as good as Foster.

 

He hasn’t, but I think GGG was probably a little better pfp than Foster and Lara and Jacobs cut it close. That’s why I’ll reserve judgment until he fights Makabu.

Sidenote: peak Kovalev would’ve been around Foster’s level, but he wasn’t peaking when Canelo ko’d him.

 

Can't let you get away with that, Cookie. Canelo wasn't a match for Floyd Mayweather and it wasn't even Floyd's era when they fought - 15 years after he won his first world title and at 24lbs above his starting weight..

Regarding modern training and conditioning, just use an eye test and look at some of the recent heavyweight champions and contenders. Andy Ruiz Jr, carries a good 60lbs of fat into the ring, Tyson Fury must be 30-40lbs overweight and looks hideously unathletic, AJ scarcely throws a punch and virtually collapses from exhaustion. Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora - fat. I could go on.

Now skip back 40 odd years to Holmes and Norton throwing punches non-stop in the 15th round, Ali and Frazier going at it hard for 14 rounds in searing heat. When you watch a fight from then, it's like watching a fight from nowadays in quick find fast forward (for those who remember video recorders).

You're right about training and conditioning being different now to then. I know these are heavyweights so that's not indicative of boxing as a whole. But they are using the modern training and conditioning that you seem to rate so highly but which I think produces fighters who are overweight and lack stamina compared to counterparts from 40 years or so ago. And imo the evidence is backing my standpoint.

 

The reverse is also true, and beating Makabu won't change that.

Tony Bellew beat Makabu

 

LOL does anyone actually think Canelo would get in the ring with Foster?
He fight someone else with a bogus LWH belt; maybe the Aztec belt or a
franchse belt, or an intercontinental belt.

 

Based on Foster’s results even an oz above 175, I’m forced to pick both Bellew and Makabu to beat him. Just being objective here.

 

Peak GGG is a a great fighter, not sure I gave Alvarez the verdict in the first, buts it’s redundant as GGG is a middleweight and Foster was a light heavyweight we can quote names from lower divisions but the fact is size and strength make a difference.

I stand by my convictions if he takes on one of the top 2 at Light heavy and wins we can revisit, but right now Alvarez hasn’t beaten someone at light heavyweight who was as good as Foster, beating his next opponent won’t make me think he can beat a guy like Foster.

 

Yeah, and like I pointed out, Alvarez is already better than an ancient Dick Tiger, Jerry Quarry’s brother, or anyone else who Foster beat. If Canelo beats Makabu’s ass, or narrowly decisions Makabu and some combo of Beterbiev—Browne winner and/or Smith—Bivol winner, that ‘s good enough to convince me.

 

Great post!!