SPECIAL COLLABORATION

I spent $51 on Saturday night to see Ilanka Makabu in action against Thabiso Mchunu. I wanted to get a good idea of ​​Makabu’s talent if he ever had to put his WBC light-heavyweight title on the line against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

I was served by a boxing gala à la Don King, that is to say mediocre, full of politics, flags, rifles, soldiers, ten strokes of the bell in memory of a singer for the national anthem, a promoter who, as usual, walks around the ring, hair in the wind, with his flags, which he continuously waves and a very ordinary boxing card.

Now I understand better why “Canelo” wants to try to steal the WBC light-heavyweight title from Makabu.

He’s a tall 6’0” guy who lost his first career fight by referee stoppage in the 1st round. Thereafter, he glued 19 victories in a row before abdicating by stoppage of the referee in the 3rd round against Tony Bellew, in 2016.

He’s a boxer who throws a lot of punches but doesn’t hit the target solidly very often.

“I wanted to show that I knew how to box, he declared after his victory over Mchunu. Next time, if I face “Canelo” Alvarez, I’m going to knock him out. »

He’s around 200 pounds and his style is far from a crowd pleaser. Moreover, it is for this reason that his fight took place in Warren, in Ohio, in a small room of 2500 places and which showed several empty benches.

As for the number of buyers who paid US$39.85 or C$51, I doubt that we can have the results of the sales in the near future, if ever the score is revealed.

I am convinced that if this match between Makabu and “Canelo” ever materializes, the Mexican will wear this crown of light-heavyweight.

Makabu’s strike force is quite ordinary and his style is ideal for “Canelo”.

Yes, he’s four inches taller than Alvarez, but remember Callum Smith. He is 6’3” and yet Alvarez defeated him by decision, in December 2020.

Two of the three judges had given the victory to “Canelo” by 119-109 and the third by 117-111. A real washout.

But basically, who could beat “Canelo”?

Let’s see how this happens.

Unlike other boxers, “Canelo” is a free agent. He offers his services to the highest bidder and he almost always puts on a good show.

First of all, there are the four associations recognized worldwide. They are the ones who are supposed to give the right to two pugilists to confront each other. But don’t rely on them. We can find privileges by the ton over the years.

Then there are the promoters. No promoter… no boxing gala. A businessman will not put a sum of money at stake if he does not have the guarantee that he can make a profit.

The problem… is that the promoter or manager of boxers will not let one of his proteges box against a pugilist from another opposing camp without compensation.

Finally, there are the boxers who have their say. Especially if they are top stars.

The case that interests us is that of Alvarez, better known as “Canelo”. He is the super middleweight champion of all four associations and he needs to be found an opponent for the next one. Cinco de Mayo.

“Canelo” has fought three fights in 2021 and won them all before the limit. He suffered a first career loss to Briton Billy Joe Saunders (30-0), beaten after abandonment following the 8th round and to Caleb Plant (21-0), defeated by referee stoppage in the 11th round.

It was Avni Yildirim (21-2) who was the worst of his rivals with a strikeout by his seconds in the third period.

It was the first time since 2011 that “Canelo” had participated in more than two fights per year.

As usual, it’s never easy to organize a fight featuring the darling mexican and american.

What will he do in 2022?

Who will be his rival for the Cinco de Mayo gala?

“Canelo” has a choice. It is he who decides.

Several are named but only one will be elected.

Who will he be?

The light-heavyweight, WBC champion, Ilungha Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs)?

(High chance). If I were “Canelo” I would attack him, but will buyers flock to see a boxer that few people know?

39-year-old veteran Gennadiy Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs)?

Forget that. “Canelo” expects GGG to turn forty next April.

Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) the WBA light heavyweight champion?

(Possibilities, he’s undefeated and his fundamental boxing base is great. Maybe a little too much for “Canelo’s” taste.

Joe Smith Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs), the WBO light heavyweight champion?

It would be a good choice for “Canelo”. Smith is a good puncher, but his defense is just bad enough to earn him this match against “Canelo”.

Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) the double WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion?

“Canelo” is not crazy. He knows he still has good years ahead of him. He won’t face a rival with devastating strength like Beterbiev.

Jermall Charlo, (32-0, 22 KOs) the WBC middleweight champion?

It would be a perfect rival for “Canelo”. He’s a pugilist who only fights middleweight because his twin brother is a super welterweight champion.

He never boxed over 160 pounds. He has 22 knockouts. to his clean sheet but had to settle for two decisions in his last two fights.

He has a good group of supporters and it is perhaps the one that would be the most interesting for a promoter.

Gilberto Ramirez (43-0, 29 KOs) is another almost 6’3” juggernaut. He won his last four fights by K.-O. We find his name as a contender for the WBC, the IBF and the WBO.

Ramirez has already invited ‘Canelo’ to face him, but without success. Such a fight would be difficult for “Canelo”, but it must be remembered that Ramirez’s defense is far from perfect.

I believe “Canelo” would beat him.

The British Anthony Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) is another who shouts loud and clear that he would like to face Canelo.

He is 6’0” and has excellent punching power, but in his loss to Sergey Kovalev in 2019 his chin was found to be suspect.

“Canelo” is too strong for him.

The question is simple: who do you think could possibly defeat “Canelo” and take all his crowns away from him?

A documentary about Arturo Gatti

A three-chapter documentary on the career and death of Arturo Gatti is currently underway. It will be carried out by ScoreG Production and SuperChannel and should take the antenna before the end of the year.

The documentary will be titled: “The Life and Death of Arturo Gatti. We will find there the best moments of his most illustrious fights, especially his trilogy against Mickey Ward and we will investigate in depth the way in which he lost his life.

Already, we know that Ward, a good friend, does not believe in the thesis of the suicide of Arturo. Supposedly the documentary will reveal new clues as to how he died.

Happy boxing!