The mathematical formula for KO power in boxing is p=mv where power equals the mass times the velocity of the punch. I think Canelo KO power came mostly from his speed. I watched him work the heavy bag recently, and he looks slow. He still has solid technique, which makes his punches look high-level, but his speed seems mostly gone compared to the standard for his weight class. I thought this deserved its own discussion given his low-volume style and increasingly stationary approach and I mean low intensity footwork. He still shows head movement in sparring, but in the ring we’re seeing less and less of it. We know he’s past his prime, of course, but how would you rank him now? Compared to his former self, is he getting close to “bum” level?
Canelo is very old in boxing terms, he had a lot of fights since he was about 15. He's still a very good fighter but way past his best.
It's a curious case. In the early days he clearly wasn't a massive puncher. Then suddenly up at LMW and MW he becomes a dangerous puncher. He KO's Smith who was pretty tough. He is one of only three or so fighters Golovkin was wary to exchange with and 'boxed'. GGG only did that when he was worried about what was coming back, basically against stevens, Lemieux and Canelo. Then Canelo goes on a tear KO'ing LHW's and SMW's and breaking Saunders's face and bashing up the other Smith ... It's possible he just doesn't use the same PEDs any longer or maybe doesn't want the risk of getting busted these days as his career comes to an end. But he was definitely roided out of his brain for a stretch there. The Golovkin fights are the biggest clue. There is no reason for Golovkin not to 'streetfight' him like he did to so many and get a KO if Canelo wasn't dangerous at that point. Golovkin knew that he was unlikely to get a decision, so why didn't he go for broke?
The idea that you need a crazy amount of power to knock people out is wrong, sure brute force can work but it’s 90% skill based and depends how good your opponent is. It doesn’t take much on a good well timed shot.
The age + the fact that he is a little Super Middleweight (even if he is very strong physically), he's not a natural Super Middleweight. And that's explain why he don't have the punching power like before. It's like Inoue at 122 lbs.
He would benefit from changing his style to a more lean, faster paced approach...and that would be feasible...at 160lbs. Hes always been too small for 168 which makes his run that more impressive tbh
I think itll be like Inoue at 126. Clearly outsized in every match but able to compete d/t skills. Outside of a flash KD here or there (Berlanga, etc.) dont expect stoppage wins. The BJS win was beautiful but a little bit flukey if we're being honest. Kovalev KO was against worst version of Kovalev in existence. Plant win aged like milk.
This is a silly and wrong take. Its common knowledge that some fighters become MORE POWERFUL as they MOVE UP in weight because they stop weight-draining. So, yes, people can have few stoppages in their 1st/2nd weight classes but look invincible at 3rd/4th weight classes and return to entirely human at 5th/6th weight classes. Canelo's biggest issue has always been his stamina - thats never changed. Hes always fought in spurts. His technique and defense have always been great, but he relied on speed to land counters and hurt people and he simply doesnt have that speed anymore...probably from training for power past 6-7 years fighting at a weight he had no business at. GGG fights showed Canelo was the goods. GGG went from demolisher to...decent power...overnight. There are no PEDs that make someone absorb punches better, BUT being MORE HYDRATED always helps absorb punches better and Canelo wasnt drained at all in those fights. Shame we didnt get accurate scoring and an immediate trilogy. 1st = GGG 2nd = draw 3rd = Canelo
