Alvarez' hand speed...

He's very fast on the pads. Also very fast when he puts his combinations together. He just plods forward methodically so looks slower than he actually is.

I look forward to Canelo-Cotto.

 

Actually when Canelo decides to unload his punches in combination his speed is pretty freaking amazing when considering his power to speed ratio. Its absolutely excellent and it has seemingly improved IMO. Hes not a fast at all times fighter, but when he smells blood and unloads, his speed is very nice.

 

I don't. Cotto is really not at his best to pitch a text book fight anymore. He will need it since he is legitimately small for 154, and especially against a strong puncher like Canelo.

 

While not slow, he looks faster than he is, due to the limited opposition he has faced. Put him in there with a few athletic guys and you would see his handspeed is above average but not great. Simlar to Jermain Taylor, HBO hyped up his handspeed, because he was fighting Joppy, Hopkins, and bums, then when he got in the ring with a real speed guy in Spinks, he looked down right slow.

Canelo's handspeed is good enough, he needs to shore up his defense though.

 

I will hope so. I think he is much too young yet. People do not realize that the top dogs in his division are closer to 30 and much more experienced in the fight game. Canelo just turned 22 and did not even have an extensive amateur career like most of the guys in the pros. I fear he will be rushed and end up like Vargas.

The thing he has is fight ending power all 12 rounds along with a very good ring IQ for such a young fighter. The best chance for people to beat him is to catch him now young or too old. Because once this kid hits his prime there will be no stopping him.

With his frame I would like him to move to 147 though. I feel with a good nutritionist he could get down there and would not be at such a disadvantage against the taller 154 pounders.

 

It will be a sad fight. Even though Puerto Ricans and Mexicans are to hate each other I have nothing but respect for Cotto. Man has always fougth the best and gives it his all. Canelo is just too fresh for him.

I do not see this fight going too long. It will be an epic beatdown and Cotto might actually be stopped cold.

 

I dont think 147 will do any good for him, and no he isnt being rushed along like Vargas was I mean When Vargas fought Tito he had about 20 fights, he was fighting guys like Winky Wright early on.

I think Canelo is over due for a step up fight not his fault he tried last year Kirkland and Williams had to settle for Lopez due to Ortiz quitting in that fight.

I am confident that he is ready to step up and do his thing... 154 is where he should stay though I dont think he can make 147 safely... either way this kid is the real deal then again another Jr Middle I like is Thurman that mother ****er is no joke

 

He looks pretty fast, especially when you don't have to worry about getting outmuscled by 140lbers.

 

The thing is Canelo is only 5'7". That is a small LMW.

Honestly I do not agree with Thurman. He is slow as molasses. I think a guy with speed would shred him up. You want to talk about legit dark horse talent in the division. I will point you towards Demetrius Andrade and there is another Mexican guy. I forget his name. I have only seen him once but he is another unorthodox Mexican guy. He boxes instead of slugging like we are known to do. He is also about 6'2" with a huge reach. As long as he has a solid chin he will go far.

 

his height has nothing to do with it though look at his ****ing calves they are like tree trunks man, the kid is solid sure 5'7 but solid.... Thurman isnt as slow as you say he is, the man just takes his time knowing once he touches them they will be in trouble.... he is a smart aggressive fighter.

 

I would like to see Thurman-Angulo. Both are slow fighters with good power. I think that would be a good test for Thurman.

 

Quick hands.

 

He's actually more explosive with good timing that makes him seem faster then what he really is, couple that with combos he looks fierce at times.

 

I'm in this camp as well, Canelo is 5"8 ish, but he is built like a tank, his style is not suited for boxing an opponent out in a distance and with beautiful footwork.. he makes do with what he has.

His style fits his body well, and power, he slowly walkd you down intelligently and to the body, that's why it pisses me off when they say he doesn't have good footwork because they don't see him moving around dancing around but that's not his style, he can close the ring effectively, using his size to muscle his oppponent into a corner and unleashing. and that's all he needs to close the ring properly your not gonna see him dancig around like May against corrales or Sergio against JR. its not his style, his style is more like GGG, Mikey Garcia, intelligent pressure and body work.

His body is built like tyson, GGG, short and stocky and he fights in the appropriate style to take advantage of his brick like body, he wears his opponents down to the body etc.

he looked drained at times at 154 because he is massive.

Look at him at 154 against rhodes, when he came in extremely good condition. He looks very cut and drained I don't think he can go down to 47 either. Rhodes was considered a big 154 pounder having competed at 160, and canelo looked much bigger and massive fight night.

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I dont know man. History will show that reach is a big advantage to overcome when the elites face the elites. 147 to me would be his ideal weight. He is built like a tank which I understand but sooner or later he will meet a fighter who is over 6 foot tall and keep him at the end of his jab successfully.

Which reminds me. The guy I was talking about earlier is Hugo "The Boss" Centeno Jr. I just made a thread on him which no one has even looked at yet.

Check it out and comment.
http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451199