If not for the sad motorcycle accident, how do you think this would have played out? Alvarez was somewhat green at the time. I think he's made some nice strides in the last 3 years. Williams had certain tools that could have given Canelo problems, and vice versa. Some fighters are just blessed with good stamina, and Canelo isn't one of them. I don't doubt he trains hard, but he just doesn't have the natural stamina of a Leonard, Margarito, or a Bowe (who could eat way too many cheeseburgers and still maintain a terrific workrate). Canelo fights pretty relaxed and doesn't waste energy that way, but has to pace himself a lot and be selective with shots so he doesn't gas out. Williams had a great workrate, and this could have presented many problems for Alvarez. On the other hand, it leaves you open to counters, and to put it lightly, defense as not Williams's strength. Williams had far more experience against better fighters at this point, but seemed to be on the downside. I remember some post-fight interview which was troubling. It could have just been the rigors of just having fought 12 rounds and getting punched in the head, but that had happened earlier and he didn't sound like he did here. His words were slurring and I know I wasn't the only one concerned when I heard that. Williams seemed to have a good chin, the Martinez KO withstanding, but you take enough shots your punch resistance can fade. I questioned Canelo's power after the Shane fight (Mosley always takes a good shot, but often goes into a shell and gets more cautious, he didn't seem to get discouraged at all from Canelo's many bombs). But my overall guess is that he has decent pop, and it could surely take a toll on Williams if he landed consistently. Which was fairly likely given Williams's defense and how many counters he would have given Canelo. This could have been another good fight between an up-and-comer and someone on the downside. So anyway, how do you think it would have played out.
I thought then and still think now The Punisher would have been too much for Canelo, he would have outworked him from bell to bell.
Here's the catch the only fighters counters that ever gave P-Will problems were southpaws Martinez, Lara and Quintana. And of course the whole Canelo doesn't have hardly any power thing.
Cintron got him with some good shots, before he decided to live up to his name. Williams was past his best, and Alvarez had enough skills to counter him all night: but the things is that Alvarez lacks pop, and his stamina is ****.
I thought at the time that Alvarez wasn't ready for Williams and Williams would have won a decision. I was a little surprised Alvarez was looking to take the fight at that time, would have been interesting.
Damn I hated that Paul got into that accident. That was going to be a great fight. Williams was a very dangerous fighter for Canelo to be facing at that point in his career.
Paul Williams is taylored made for Canelo. Saul Alvarez excels against pressure fighters who lack defense and make mistakes by leaving themselves open. Canelo would exploit the more active but slower Paul Williams' defense with pin point accurate bombs. The only time Canelo has had a harder time winning has been when he has fought slick, defensive minded fighters who use their legs as much or more than their hands. Canelo by KO is my guess.
