Thread: Alvarez Coming Along

Canelo Alvarez has improved pretty significantly over the past year or so. Especially in the following areas.

-Getting ever more relaxed in the ring
-Doing a better job of identifying punching distance
-Moving his head at least somewhat now.

It is nice to see the young man improving.

But he still really has some things to learn if he is going to become great.

-He still moves in straight lines. When he attacks he's always head to head and when he retreats it is straight back. He MUST learn to step to the side both on the attack and on the retreat.
-After he throws a combination he does one of two things. He stands there or he moves straight back. Both are bad ideas. If he throws four punches then steps to the side? he can throw four more from a new angle. If he steps to the side on the retreat he is in position to counter rather than merely avoid shots.
-He doesn't move his feet between punches. So when the foe is moved by the first punch? Canelo loses optimal range for the remainder. To become a great fighter he must learn to punch, step, punch, step, punch step, punch. He did this in the fourth round very well.
-If he'd apply that bob and weave twice as often as he does? he'd be more effective both offensively and defensively.

But perhaps the most important thing about tonight's win was Canelo IMPROVED. That shows he is being well trained, is open to changing in order to improve and knows how to learn. Those are critical abilities.

He was landing cleaner, but Rhodes was kind of just standing there. I think he should have used that left hook even more than he did. Still think he shouldnt get too far ahead of himself at this point, and slowly notch up the comp. He's not ready for say Cotto or Martinez, maybe even Angulo. Wonder if he's got a real solid chin or not, I havent seen it tested.

I agree he did look better last night, but does have some more work to do. The biggest difference i noticed was that he was moving his head more last night. I think he's on the right track for good things.

Good OP Marble, why didn't I think to say that?

Canelo has all the tools to be a great one, he should get even better as time goes by. I like him a hell of a lot better then I do Chavez Jr, who will never have the skill set that Alvarez does.

I look forward to seeing some great championship fights from him at Jr. Middleweight, and eventually at Middleweight.

Originally Posted by Mars_ax

Good OP Marble, why didn't I think to say that?

Canelo has all the tools to be a great one, he should get even better as time goes by. I like him a hell of a lot better then I do Chavez Jr, who will never have the skill set that Alvarez does.
I look forward to seeing some great championship fights from him at Jr. Middleweight, and eventually at Middleweight.

I was thinking the same thing. Canelo has a chance to be really, really good at some point. I think Chavez junior can only be really, really tough.

Originally Posted by MMASUX

I agree he did look better last night, but does have some more work to do. The biggest difference i noticed was that he was moving his head more last night. I think he's on the right track for good things.

The head movement is a big thing for him. He stopped doing it whenh he got tired. He has to learn to never stop doing it.

Originally Posted by No Contest

He was landing cleaner, but Rhodes was kind of just standing there. I think he should have used that left hook even more than he did. Still think he shouldnt get too far ahead of himself at this point, and slowly notch up the comp. He's not ready for say Cotto or Martinez, maybe even Angulo. Wonder if he's got a real solid chin or not, I havent seen it tested.

Agree on all counts

Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

Canelo Alvarez has improved pretty significantly over the past year or so. Especially in the following areas.

-Getting ever more relaxed in the ring
-Doing a better job of identifying punching distance
-Moving his head at least somewhat now.

It is nice to see the young man improving.

But he still really has some things to learn if he is going to become great.

-He still moves in straight lines. When he attacks he's always head to head and when he retreats it is straight back. He MUST learn to step to the side both on the attack and on the retreat.
-After he throws a combination he does one of two things. He stands there or he moves straight back. Both are bad ideas. If he throws four punches then steps to the side? he can throw four more from a new angle. If he steps to the side on the retreat he is in position to counter rather than merely avoid shots.
-He doesn't move his feet between punches. So when the foe is moved by the first punch? Canelo loses optimal range for the remainder. To become a great fighter he must learn to punch, step, punch, step, punch step, punch. He did this in the fourth round very well.
-If he'd apply that bob and weave twice as often as he does? he'd be more effective both offensively and defensively.

But perhaps the most important thing about tonight's win was Canelo IMPROVED. That shows he is being well trained, is open to changing in order to improve and knows how to learn. Those are critical abilities.

Blimey! If he did all that, he'd be Marvin Hagler!

Seriously though, he is very good at not showing his punches, and he punches beautifully in combination.

Hey Marb,

It's just Frank aka Frankie saying hi. Thought I'd check this thread out since it had your name on it. Alvarez is coming along fine, though I don't think he beats Pacquiao. I guess we'll see.

Now that my name is Frankie, I guess I can go with "Frankie Avalon" or "Frankie Vallie." LOL

Originally Posted by Frankie

Hey Marb,

It's just Frank aka Frankie saying hi. Thought I'd check this thread out since it had your name on it. Alvarez is coming along fine, though I don't think he beats Pacquiao. I guess we'll see.

Now that my name is Frankie, I guess I can go with "Frankie Avalon" or "Frankie Vallie." LOL

Duuuuuuude!

Seeee yooooou in Septeeeeeember!

Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

Canelo Alvarez has improved pretty significantly over the past year or so. Especially in the following areas.

-Getting ever more relaxed in the ring
-Doing a better job of identifying punching distance
-Moving his head at least somewhat now.

It is nice to see the young man improving.

But he still really has some things to learn if he is going to become great.

-He still moves in straight lines. When he attacks he's always head to head and when he retreats it is straight back. He MUST learn to step to the side both on the attack and on the retreat.
-After he throws a combination he does one of two things. He stands there or he moves straight back. Both are bad ideas. If he throws four punches then steps to the side? he can throw four more from a new angle. If he steps to the side on the retreat he is in position to counter rather than merely avoid shots.
-He doesn't move his feet between punches. So when the foe is moved by the first punch? Canelo loses optimal range for the remainder. To become a great fighter he must learn to punch, step, punch, step, punch step, punch. He did this in the fourth round very well.
-If he'd apply that bob and weave twice as often as he does? he'd be more effective both offensively and defensively.

But perhaps the most important thing about tonight's win was Canelo IMPROVED. That shows he is being well trained, is open to changing in order to improve and knows how to learn. Those are critical abilities.

Blimey! If he did all that, he'd be Marvin Hagler!

Seriously though, he is very good at not showing his punches, and he punches beautifully in combination.

Hagler is who all middles should aspire to be

Great call on not disclosing his punches.