both fighters knew ahead of time it was an eliminator of sorts now the final guys left. Smith vs Alvarez. the rumours are for the vacant wbo title (I have no issue with that) another rumour is in quebec and given the montreal scene is good I have no issue with that. I want to just discuss the fight which I see as a great matchup. Eleider has a great chin and is more capable skill wise on paper. But, Joe Smith works harder than anyone I've ever seen. I'm not sure he can stop alvarez but he showed that he can keep working and stop the other from working. over 12 rounds this is intresting and it's closer than many thing. 51/49 to me in Alvarez favour but as a canadian it's still going to be hard to route against Smith jr as he seems like an "unlikely champion" and a people of the people proper throwback.
I lean Smith, Alvarez's work rate is horrid, and while yeah, he looked bad against Barrera and Bivol, remember, Barrera broke his jaw in the second round, in the first round Joe was closing the distance fine. The broken jaw clearly effected him, so if you take that out of the equation, the only guy he was taken to school against was Bivol, who let's be honest, takes almost everyone to school. So Joe isn't as technically bad as most tend to incorrectly believe. His work rate is relentless, his hands are very heavy, he cuts off the ring quite well, he closes the distance well, and his chin is damn good. Not only can he outwork Alvarez, he could also possibly stop him. I think this version of Smith hits harder than the version of Kovalev that Alvarez fought, and Alvarez while having solid set of whiskers, he was badly hurt against both Pascal and Prieto, as far as Joe goes, it's no foregone conclusion that this will be a distance fight. Hart for as terrible as he is, he did do a few things well, roll with the overhands, run and tie up, that's the only reason why he saw the final bell. Alvarez tends to freeze up and cover up when hurt, which isn't a good idea against Joe.
I don't think Alvarez get's stopped. But, another incorrect thing people believe is Alvarez power. He adds a lot to a one or two shots a fight and it's when he walks people into mistakes. Sure there is a chance either kos either but I'd say this goes the distance. this really deserves to be a title fight. I'm thinking Alvarez but Joe Smith is more marketable as a rocky/working class fighter. Also eledier alvarez fought a canadian boxer in quebec and it was closer than expected as the opponent won 3 rounds of 10. the kid went to shake Eledier hand and alvarez shoved him. and I said "yeah, **** you *****!!!" I support Quebec fighters but I'd be happy if either won, but for Boxing Joe Smith is the true baby face in this.
I'll be rooting for Joe Smith. He has world-class punching power, I think he has a decent chance of winning.
This is actually a pretty good fight. Lots of good observations in this thread. I haven’t seen them both fight enough to decide. Will differ to the experts on this one. Better yet, I’ll watch the fight if it happens. Both guys get brutally KOd by Beterbiev and outboxed soundly by Bivol. Still entertaining.
Both seem to have sturdy chins and both have power. I go with Eleider by close decision. But who knows, that right hand of his is quite deadly.
I'm going with the Manny Steward response if he was here. MS: "Alvarez has the skill to win this I think he will take it. But Ya never know, Smith has the power factor, so Joe just may take it." Jim Lamply: "So Emanuel Steward are U picking Alvarez or Smith?" MS: "Ya know it could go either way" Post fight MS: "I knew it I knew he was gonna win all along."
