This week we wrap up the Canelo vs Chavez bout from this past Saturday night. Boxing fans were supposed to get a “war” between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but unfortunately it didn’t happen for the fans. This weekend’s fight had costs of $100 per pay-per-view, and the fight did not resemble a war at all, but rather a glorified sparring session between a couple of guys about to split a couple of million bucks.
Alvarez was in charge from the start of the fight as it became evident that Chavez Jr was not a threat. The fight was set at a catch weight of 164.5 pounds and Chavez Jr certainly appeared to show the effects of the weight cut. Chavez Jr was the taller, longer man but he could not use that to his advantage because he was also slower and weaker.
And Alvarez did not do himself any favors. At the end of the day he won handily on the judge’s scorecards, getting a perfect 120-108 from all three officials, but that doesn’t tell the true story of the fight. Alvarez knew from the early going of the fight, probably the first round, that he was in no danger at the hands of Chavez Jr. yet at no point during the fight did he feel the need to put the pedal to the metal and apply the pressure that says he is looking to finish. What happened to all the “Mexican Pride” and the animosity between the two camps in the ring? All the pre-fight talk was just that talk, as things never got heated. Even a couple of incidental low blows between the two men were met with a touch of gloves and respect.
Alvarez announced after the fight that he would be fighting Gennady Golovkin on September 16th in a highly anticipated match-up that the boxing world has been calling for. The truth is that Alvarez is coming off his third performance in a row where he ha not impressed the public and he could not continue talking soft opponents without taking a real hit in drawing power. Alvarez is going to need to shine against Golovkin to remove the bad taste his last few fights have left in everyone’s mouth.
Canelo vs JCC Jr Wrap Up and More – TnS Boxing Podcast #43
The podcast also continues the heavyweight boxing theme that headlined the 42nd edition. Far off New Zealand saw WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker back to defend the title he won this past December for the first time. Parker walked into the fight in a no-win situation outside of the ring as he was fighting a relative unknown in late replacement Razvan Cojanu. Parker won a unanimous decision but it was a lackluster affair that saw Parker fail to take Cojanu out.
Cojanu had stepped in on short notice to replace Hughie Fury, the original challenger who pulled out of the fight on short notice. Parker’s promoters were left scrambling to fill the bill and the WBO’s #14 ranked Cojanu answered the call and signed the contract. Kudos to him for taking the fight but fans of heavyweight boxing did not get a world championship level fight despite a belt being on the line. Parker didn’t do himself any favors with a flat performance.
Canelo vs JCC Jr Wrap Up and More – TnS Boxing Podcast #43 / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science, where the best boxing writers write.
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