Which of these men gave Canelo the most competitive fight?

I voted Saunders. He had Canelo truly frustrated at times.

Kovalev was winning due to his superb mid-long range boxing ability - but it was one of those fights where it “felt” like he was on his way to losing even while he won rounds..

Mostly due to his visible poor physical state, and lacking ANY snap or explosiveness on any of his punches or movement from the opening bell….

Honestly, Kovalev’s performance in a fight he looked so physically bad in is testament to how damn good he was…. Reminded me of ODLH vs Pacquiao - except he didn’t get his ass whooped like that.

 

Probably Saunders.

 

I would say Saunders only because he actually landed some power shots on Canelo's face.
Kovalev was winning the rounds with the jab in a way better than Saunders but had been told never to throw a hard RH again by the great Buddy McGirt so I don't think he even landed a power shot on Canelo and it never looked like he was actually getting to Canelo.

 

Kovalev: he was 6-3 up on a fair scorecard after 9 rounds and made it to the 11th.

This was despite being just 9 weeks removed from almost getting KO'd in an 11 round war with Yarde, being past his best with 3 losses and subject to a 185 lbs rehydration clause.

 

Kovalev was up on all cards but something was weird. He never sat on a single punch all night long...bizarre. BJS looked like he was turning the tide and had won 3 out of 4 rounds before the big shot.

I voted BJS because Kovalev fight was...fishy.

 

I voted BJS because I saw what you saw, an inevitablel BJS win if not for the stunning KD. Kovalev won more rounds but something seemed fishy...perhaps even "arranged."

 

I was really impressed with the way Kovalev stroked Canelo’s face with pitty pat jabs before getting knocked tf out. Typical EE wank lol.

Anyway probably Saunders.

 

Has to be Kovalev. I had him winning 96-94 until things went sideways.

 

Kovalev shouldn't have even been santioned to fight! Quick turn around after getting concussed by Yarde

Of course anyone with fundementals with Kovalev's natural size and power will make Canelo reel like the bum he is.

 

I think Canelo looked the least impressive against Plant for whatever that's worth. But in terms of scoring, Kovalev was probably the most competitive. I had Canelo ahead a couple rounds leading up to the stoppage of Saunders iirc. I still think he largely controlled the pace of that fight and was landing on Saunders fairly consistently throughout with quality counters. It's a pretty over-looked performance imo.