Cotto vs. Alvarez: Canelo’s weight

Cotto vs. Alvarez: Canelo’s weight

By M.DeTyrone

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is fighting Miguel Cotto on Nov. 21 for the WBC Middleweight Championship *  and Lineal Middleweight World Championship at a 155 lbs. middleweight catchweight. The hypothesis is that Canelo is stronger, younger, and more powerful and that during the night of the fight he would be above 170 lbs., which will result in Canelo defeating Cotto who is a small, washed up 35 y/o boxer with no power that hasn’t fought quality opponents is his last three fights. In this fight, the 25 y/o Canelo is the betting odds favorite and Cotto is the underdog.

We don’t know from what weight Canelo originally is coming down from but we do know he’s been training since sometime around July and his team has stated that Canelo has sparred 172 rounds. Be that as it may, I’m not surprised that for the Cotto 155 lbs. middleweight division catchweight fight. Canelo at the 30-day weigh-in he weighed in at 167.8 lbs. and for the 7-day weigh-in, he weighed in at 160.2 lbs. We see the same pattern for the 2013 Austin Trout fight at 154 lbs. in that fight at the 30-day weigh-in he weighed in at 166.5 lbs. and then at the 7-day weigh-in he weighed in at 159.2 lbs. At the fight weigh-in Canelo weighed in at 153.5 lbs. showing us that he can lose 13 lbs. from his 30-day weigh-in to the fight weigh-in and from his 7-day weigh-in to the weigh-in, he lost a total of 5.2 lbs.

 The difference is this fight is two years later and what is supposed to be one of his biggest fights. Maybe Canelo’s body is the same from 2 years ago. If we look at what was another big fight for Canelo vs. Mayweather Jr. in 2013 at the WBC mandatory 30-day weigh-in he weighed in at 166.8 lbs. and then at the 7-day weigh-in he weighed in at 157.4 lbs. At the fight weigh-in Canelo made the 152 lbs. catchweight from his 30-day weigh-in and had lost at total of 14.8 lbs. and from his 7-day weigh-in to the fight weigh-in, he lost 5.4 lbs. Canelo cut 5.4-5.2 lbs. after the 7-day weigh-in.

Now, after the Mayweather Jr. Fight in 2013, Canelo has been fighting at 155 lbs. he struggled to make 154 lbs. vs. Angulo in a fight in which Canelo weighed-in at 155 lbs. the second was vs. Erislandy Lara in which he weighed 155 lbs. and finally in May 2015, Canelo weighed 154.5 lbs. for the Kirkland fight. In his last six fights has fought a total of 54 rounds and 36 rounds of them vs. 3 ex or current champions Floyd Mayweather Jr., Austin Trout, and Erislandy Lara. He’s fought 18 rounds vs. Alfredo Angulo (TKO10), James Kirkland (KO3), and Josesito Lopez (TKO5). There were questions about Canelo’s stamina vs. Mayweather Jr., Trout, Angulo, and even against Kirkland. However, it will be all irrelevant if Cotto doesn’t capitalize on Canelo’s stamina issues in the late rounds. 

The majority of boxing experts and fans don’t believe Cotto at 35 y/o can box for 12 rounds and that his own stamina is suspect and they believe that Cotto doesn’t have the power to KO a younger Canelo. Nevertheless, in 2015 for the Cotto fight… Canelo must cut down to 155 lbs. and lose 5.2 lbs., which is the same amount of weight that he cut down for the Austin Trout fight in early 2013. If Canelo makes the 155 lbs., catchweight then he will have then lost a total of 12.8 lbs. But that all depends on what weight, he weighs at in the fight weigh-in on Nov 20. One thing we do know is that he balloons up to 20 lbs. on the day of the fight, which he has used, to his an advantage vs. smaller opponents.

Many will be paying attention one of them is the weigh-in and to see how Canelo looks and if he makes the weight. I suspect he’ll make the weigh. If he doesn’t then Cotto should do the same thing Team Canelo did to the 39 y/o Carlos Baldomir. The second one is how much weigh Canelo will balloon up to on the day of the fight. Many people think that ballooning up that much weight is an advantage but it can also be a disadvantage because we don’t know how much weight Canelo has truly come down from originally.

 *Only Canelo will be fighting for the WBC middleweight title since Cotto was stripped of WBC title for allegedly refusing to pay a sanctioning fees of $300 thousand USD

* Canelo KOs after the sixth round: In the eighth round only one KO, this was Javier Martinez in the welterweight division. In the ninth round, he has three TKOs those being against Francisco Villanueva in the welterweight division, Jose Miguel Cotto in the super welterweight division, and Jeferson Luis Goncalo in the welterweight division. In the tenth round he’s TKO’d two opponents Michel Rosales in the welterweight division and Alfredo Angulo in a middleweight division catchweight of 155 lbs. Canelo has TKO’d one opponent in the 11th round and he was Euri Gonzalez in the welterweight division. In the 12th round Canelo has two TKOs and they were against Ryan Rhodes in the super welterweight division and Gabriel Martinez in the welterweight division.

KOs Round by Round: Puerto Rican boxers vs. Mexican & Mex-American boxers By M.DeTyrone

KOs Round by Round: Puerto Rican boxers vs. Mexican & Mex-American boxers

By M.DeTyrone

Puerto Rico is an island of 9,104 km2 (3,515 Sq. mi) the population of less than 4 million.

Mexico is nation of the Area 1,972,550 km2 (761,606 sq. mi.) 15th in the World.

The Mexican population is plus 100,000,000 and ranked 11th in the world.

Puerto Rican Boxers 77-59-3 1 NC 40 KOs

Round 1: 4 KOs

1.      Edwin “Chapo” Rosario defeats Robert Elizondo TKO 1: WBC World Lightweight title 1984.

2.      Alex “Nene” Sanchez defeats Arturo Mayan TKO 1: WBO World Minimumweight title 1994.

3.      Juan Manuel Lopez defeats Daniel Ponce De Leon TKO 1: WBO World Super Bantamweight title 2008.

4.      Juan Manuel Lopez defeats Cesar Figueroa KO 1: WBO World Super Bantamweight title 2008.

Round 2: 1 KO

1.      Sammy Fuentes defeats Fidel Avendano TKO 2: WBO World Light Welterweight title 1995.

Round 3: 2 KOs

1.      Edwin "Chapo" Rosario defeats Loreto Garza TKO 3: WBA World lightweight title 1991.

2.      Wilfredo Vasquez defeats Raul Perez TKO 3: WBA World Super Bantamweight title 1992.

Round 4:  5 KOs

1.      Carlos De Leon defeats Yaqui Lopez TKO4: WBC World Cruiserweight title 1983.

2.      Alex “Nene” Sanchez defeats Oscar Andrade  TKO 4: WBO World Minimumweight title 1994.

3.      Felix "Tito" Trinidad defeats Luis Ramos Campas TKO 4: IBF World Welterweight title 1994.

4.      Alex “Nene” Sanchez defeats Rafael Orozco  TKO 4: WBO World Minimumweight title 1995.

5.      Danny Garcia defeats Erik Morales KO4: WBA Super World Lightweight Welterweight title & WBC World Light Welterweight Title 2012.

Round 5:  5 KOs

1.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Raul Tirado TKO 5: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1977.

2.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Carlos Zarate TKO 5: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1978.

3.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Nicky Perez TKO 5: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1979.

4.      Hector L. "Macho” Camacho defeats Rafael “Bazooka “Limon TKO 5: WBC World Super Featherweight title 1983.

5.      Miguel Angel Cotto defeats Alfonso Gomez RTD 5: WBA World Welterweight title 2008.

Round 6: 4 KOs

1.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Juan Meza TKO 6: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1982.

2.      John J.Molina defeats Lupe Suarez TKO 6: IBF World Super Featherweight title 1990.

3.      Josue Camacho defeats Eddie Vallejo KO 6: WBO World Light Flyweight title 1992.

4.      Felix “Tito” Trinidad defeats Ray Lovato TKO 6: IBF World Welterweight title 1996.

First 6 rounds a total of 21 KOs out of 40 KOs (52.5%KO)

Round 7: 1 KO

1.       Juan Manuel Lopez defeats Steven Luevano TKO 7: WBO World Featherweight title 2010.

Round 8: 5 KOs

1.      Alfredo Escalera defeats Carlos Becerril KO 8: WBC World Super Featherweight title 1977.

2.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Roberto Rubaldino TKO 8: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1982.

3.      John J.Molina defeats Fransico Segura TKO 8: IBF World Super Featherweight title 1993.

4.      Luis Collazo defeats Miguel Angel Gonzalez TKO 8: WBA World Welterweight title 2005.

5.      Juan Manuel Lopez defeats Rafael Marquez RTD 8: WBO World Featherweight title 2010.

Round 9: 1 KO

1.      Sixto Escobar defeats Rodolfo “Baby” Casanovas by KO 9: Montreal Athletic Commission World Bantamweight title 1934.

Round 10: 7 KOs

1.      Carlos Ortiz defeats Raymundo “Battling” Torres by KO 10: World Light Welterweight Title 1960.

2.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Juan Antonio Lopez TKO 10: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1978.

3.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Carlos Mendoza TKO 10: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1979.

4.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Juan Antonio Lopez TKO 10: WBC World Super Bantamweight

5.      John J.Molina defeats Tony Lopez TKO 10: IBF World Super Featherweight title 1989.

6.      Kermit Cintron defeats Jesse Feliciano TKO 10: IBF World Welterweight title 2007.

7.      Miguel Angel Cotto defeats Antonio Margarito TKO 10: WBA World Super Welterweight title 2011.

Round 11: 3 KOs

1.      Esteban De Jesus defeats Vicente Mijares Saldivar TKO11: WBC World Lightweight title 1977.

2.      Daniel Santos defeats Luis Ramos Campas  TKO 11: WBO World Light Middleweight title 2002.

3.      Wilfredo Vasquez jr. defeats Ivan Hernandez TKO 11: WBO World Super Bantamweight title 2010.

Round 12: 1 KO

1.      Felix “Tito” Trinidad defeats Fernando Vargas TKO 12: WBA World Jr. Middleweight title 2000.

Round 14: 1 KO

1.      Wilfredo Gomez defeats Lupe Pintor by TKO 14: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1982.

From round 7 to the 14^th a total 19 KOs out of 40KOs (47.5 %KO)

Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers 59-77-3 1NC 34 KOs

Round 1: 1KO

1.      Carlos Leon defeats Danny Garcia KO1: WBO World Welterweight title 1989.

Round 2: 3KOs

1.      Pipino Cuevas defeats Angel Espada TKO 2: WBA World Welterweight title 1976.

2.      Marco Antonio Barrera defeats +Frankie Toledo TKO2: WBO World  Super Bantamweight title 1995

3.      Erik Morales defeats Angel Chacon KO 2: WBC World Super Bantamweight title 1999.

Round 3: 2KOs

1.      Giovanni Segura defeats Ivan Calderon KO 3: WBO World Flyweight title 2011.

2.      Adrian Hernandez defeats Janiel “Pototo” Rivera TKO3: WBC World Light Flyweight Title 2014.

Round 4: 2 KOs

1.      Jose Luis Ramirez defeats Edwin “Chapo” Rosario TKO 4: WBA World Lightweight title 1984.

2.      Miguel Angel Garcia defeats Juan Manuel Lopez TKO 4: WBO World Featherweight Title 2013(Only Juan Manuel Lopez was fighting for the title due to Garcia not making weight and losing title at the scales.)

Round 5: 7 KOs

1.      Julio Cesar Chavez defeats Angel Hernandez TKO5: WBC World Light welterweight title 1992.

2.      Ricardo Lopez defeats Alex “Nene” Sanchez TKO 5: WBC/WBO World Minimumweight title 1997.

3.      Manuel Medina defeats +Frankie Toledo TKO 5: IBF World Featherweight title 2001.

4.      *** Antonio Margarito defeats Kermit Cintron TKO 5: WBO World Welterweight 2005.

5.      Saul Alvarez defeats Kermit Cintron TKO 5: WBC World Light Middleweight title 2011.

6.      Leo Santa Cruz defeats Eric Morel RTD 5: IBF World Light Bantamweight title 2012.

7.      Moises Fuentes defeats Ivan Calderon TKO5: WBO World Minimumweight title 2012.

Round 6: 1 KO

1.      *** Antonio Margarito defeats Kermit Cintron KO 6: IBF World Welterweight title 2008.

First 6 rounds a total of 16 KOs out of 34 KOs (47%KO)

Round 7: 2KO

1.      Marco Antonio Barrera defeats Orlando Fernandez TKO 7: WBO World Super Bantamweight title 1996.

2.      Orlando Salido defeats Orlando Cruz KO 7: Vacant WBO World Featherweight title 2013.

Round 8: 6 KOs

1.      Salvador Sanchez defeats Wilfredo Gomez TKO 8: WBC World Featherweight title 1981.

2.      Oscar De La Hoya defeats Wilfredo Rivera TKO 8: WBC World Welterweight title 1997.

3.      Hugo Fidel Cazares defeats Alex “Nene” Sanchez RTD 8: WBO World Light Flyweight title 2005.

4.      Giovanni Segura defeats Ivan Calderon KO 8: WBO World Flyweight title / WBA Super World Flyweight title 2010.

5.      Orlando Salido defeats Juan Manuel Lopez TKO 8: WBO World Featherweight title 2011.

6.      Miguel Angel Garcia defeats Roman “Rocky” Martinez KO 8: World Super Featherweight title 2013.

Round 10: 4KOs

1.      Pipino Cuevas defeats Angel Espada TKO 10: WBA World Welterweight title 1979.

2.      Julio Cesar Chavez defeats Sammy Fuentes RTD 10: WBC World Light welterweight title 1989.

3.      Hugo Fidel Cazares defeats Nelson Dieppa TKO 10: WBO World Light Flyweight title 2006.

4.      Orlando Salido defeats Juan Manuel Lopez TKO 10: WBO World Featherweight title 2012.

Round 11: 2 KOs

1.      Julio Cesar Chavez defeats Edwin "Chapo" Rosario TKO 11: WBA World Lightweight title 1987.

2.      *** Antonio Margarito defeats Miguel Angel Cotto TKO11: WBA World Welterweight title 2008.

Round 12: 4 KOs

1.      Pipino Cuevas defeats Angel Espada by TKO 12: WBA World Welterweight title 1977.

2.      Isidro Perez defeats Angel Rosario TKO12: WBO World Flyweight title 1990.

3.      Jose Victor Burgos defeats Alex “Nene” Sanchez TKO 12: IBF World Light Flyweight title 2003.

4.      Jorge Arce defeats Wilfredo Vasquez jr. TKO12:  WBO World Super Bantamweight title 2011.

Round 7 to 12^th round a total of 18 KOs out of 34 KOs (53%KO)

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 1: 4 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 1: 1KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 2: 1 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 2: 3 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 3: 2 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 3: 2 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 4: 5 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 4: 2 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 5: 5 KOs -Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 5: 7 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 6: 4 KOs -Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 6: 1 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 7: 1 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 7: 2KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 8: 5 KOs -Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 8: 6KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 9: 1 KOs -Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 9: 0KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 10: 7 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 10: 4 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 11: 3 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 11: 2 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 12: 1 KOs - Mexican & Mexican-American Boxers Round 12: 4 KO

Puerto Rican Boxers Round 14: 1 KOs -

Roman “Rocky” Martinez vs. Orlando “Siri” Salido: The Rematch By M.DeTyrone

Roman “Rocky” Martinez vs. Orlando “Siri” Salido: The Rematch

By M.DeTyrone

Again, we have a boxer from the island of Puerto Rico, which is an island of 9,104 km2 (3,515 Sq. mi) with a population of less than 4 million vs. Mexico is nation with an area of 1,972,550 km2 (761,606 sq. mi.) 15th in the world with a population of 100,000,000 plus with 40 million of its citizens within the United States. This boxing rivalry is the equivalent of the USA having a boxing rivalry vs. the city of London, England; nevertheless, it’s a rivalry, which transcends boxing.

This is a rematch between Roman “Rocky” Martinez 29-2-2 (17KO) the current WBO World Super Featherweight title  versus the former champion the 34-year-old Orlando “Siri” Salido 42-13-2 (29KO) that will be in Sept 12 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. In the first fight, Martinez controlled the distance and offset Salido’s momentum and style. In the rematch, I expect Salido to have adjusted but one thing about Martinez is his chin and his punching power that keeps Salido’s momentum honest. 

You can never count out the warrior Salido in any fight but I would worry about his years of battles and punishment and at his age moving up to a new weight class. Martinez may have his number. If we look at Orlando “Siri” Salido’s number… he has a 72% KO in the first 6 rounds, and a 27%KO from the seventh to the twelve rounds. In the rounds three, four, and 5, Salido has a 48 % KO, and in his last eight fights, 11 times Salido has visited the canvas. Martinez dropped him twice in the third and fifth round in their first fight. If we look at the number of Roman “Rocky” Martinez he has an 82% KO in the first 6 rounds, and an 18% KO from the seventh to the twelve round. In the rounds, four and five Martinez has a 47% KO.

Historically in Super Featherweight / Jr. Lightweight 130 lbs. (59.0 Kilograms) World Title fights between Puerto Rican boxers and Mexican & Mexican-American boxers. Puerto Rican boxers are 11-5-1 (5 KO) 31.25%KO and Mexican & Mexican-American boxers are 5-11-1 (1KO) .06%KO. Independently, if we look at their boxing history Roman “Rocky” Martinez is 3-1-1 (0KO) vs. Mexican & Mexican-American boxers in 5-world title fights and Orlando “Siri” Salido is 3-1 (3KO) vs. Puerto Rican boxers in 4-world title fights. The myths and legends online by the Mexican nationalist boxing fans about Salido being this Puerto Rican boxer destroyer are greatly exaggerated his three world title wins were against Juan Manuel Lopez at 126 lbs. and one against Orlando Cruz.

Interesting world title bout between both boxers but if Martinez improves on his first game plan he can stop Salido, and if Salido adjust his style and his chin holds up then he can win. I believe in the rematch Martinez can win via UD or a SD, if he can drop Salido multiple times and box his way through 12 rounds. 

The Welterweight Division 2015: August to December 2015 By M.DeTyrone

The Welterweight Division 2015: August to December 2015

By M.DeTyrone

There’s only one star in the welterweight division and it's Floyd Mayweather Jr. Unlikely to retire from boxing when there’s so much money to make.  Nevertheless, the welterweight division is shaping up to be very competitive despite the several promotional companies not working together out of spite, rivalry, etc.  There’s plenty of talent but none truly tested in the welterweight division.

Currently, the WBA “Regular” world welterweight champion Keith Thurman 26-0 (22 KO) is being build up as the next big welterweight boxer. He has defeated five former world champions but his best opponent to this date has been Robert Guerrero 33-3-1 (18KO). There’s still much that Thurman must show the boxing world before anyone believes what the boxing media wants to construct.

In my opinion, Keith Thurman is the number one power puncher in the welterweight division with an 81KO percentage that is 26 KOs out of 26 bouts.

The 32-year-old veteran Robert Guerrero although he didn’t look great versus Aaron Martinez 19-4-1 (4KO) in his last fight the fans don’t know how he will perform in his next fight. What I do know is that Guerrero comes to fight and is a solid veteran with experience. A fight vs. former WBO world super lightweight champion Chris Algieri 20-2 (8KO) for Guerrero’s career it could be a very interesting especially if marketed on the West Coast. Algieri is coming off a good performance vs. Amir Khan after months of ridiculed by the media with the “Out of the Cage” comment from his corner. Against Khan, Algieri was out the cage and put on a good performance. One good option for Guerrero is Amir Khan.

I rank Marcos Maidana the number two power puncher in the welterweight division with a 78KO percentage that is 31 KOs in 40 bouts.

However, Amir Khan 31-3 (19KO) has a regional threat in the 29 –year-old Kell Brook 35-0 (24 KO) the current IBF World Champion that hasn’t faced any true opposition outside Shawn Porter 26-1-1 (16KO) and has a record of 3-0 (2KO) in world title fights. The level of opposition hasn’t been great and the strategy seems to build up a mega regional fight between Brook and Khan. In any case, Khan doesn’t seem that interested. Khan is obsessed with fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. even though many fans don’t believe he hasn’t earned the fight and is delusional. The best options for Khan would be Manny Pacquiao 57-6- 2 (38KO) and a rematch vs. Marcos Maidana 35-5 (31KO), if he ever returns to boxing.

I rank Kell Brook the number eight power puncher in the welterweight division with a 69KO percentage that is 24 KOs in 35bouts.

Now going back to Brook we have to see if he lives up to his alias of  “The Special One” or will be he just “special” in the United Kingdom vs. sublevel opposition. I’ve honestly been waiting for the last 3 years for the tough Argentinian Diego Chaves 23-2-1 (19KO) vs. Brook. Diego Chaves is battle tested, tough, and a good puncher.

I rank Diego Chaves the number four power puncher in the welterweight division with a 73KO percentage that is 24 KOs in 26 bouts.

The 27-year-old Shawn Porter 26-1-1 (16KO) is slowly gaining momentum after his defeat to Kell Brook in 2014. Porter recently defeated former WBA world welterweight champion Adrien Broner, but suffered a 12^th round knockdown. A rematch versus Brook or a fight vs. Robert Guerrero or Keith Thurman could be very interesting. I would prefer to see Porter vs. Guerrero, for the casual fan entertainment value.

I rank Shawn Porter the number nine power puncher in the welterweight division with a 57KO percentage that is 16 KOs in 28 bouts.

 Timothy Bradley Jr. 32-1-1 (12KO) the Interim-WBO World Champion is a threat to any boxer although he doesn’t possess the KO power he has good experience and boxing ability to give any opponent problems. A fight vs. Brandon Rios 33-2-1 (24KO) is a possibility due to an in house promotional company, a rematch vs. the tough Argentinian Diego Chaves 23-2-1 (19KO).

I rank Brandon Rios the number five power puncher in the welterweight division with a 67KO percentage that is 24 KOs in 36 bouts.

Former WBA super world lightweight & WBC world super lightweight champion Philly-Rican Danny Garcia 31-0 (18KO) has slowly moved up to the welterweight division by fighting two welterweight catchweights fights and finally facing a fading former world champion Paul Malignaggi 33-7 (7KO). Garcia vs. former world champion Devon Alexander 26-3 (14KO) would be an interesting fight.

I rank Danny Garcia the number six power puncher in the welterweight division with a 58KO percentage that is 18 KOs in 37 bouts.

Two prospects that are being pushed by the networks and have talent are the 5’9” 26-year-old prospect out NYC Sadam Ali 22-0 (13KO) whose best opponent up to date has been the Argentine knock out artist Luis Carlos Abregu who was TKO’d in nine rounds. Although highly ranked by the IBF and WBO, in my opinion, I don’t see him being a true threat for now at the welterweight division. Now, the best prospect is the 5’9.5” 25-year-old southpaw Errol Spence Jr. 17-0 (14KO) in the welterweight division. Already in the top 10 of the WBA welterweight rankings and should be getting a world title shot very soon.

36 Minutes and 12 rounds By M.DeTyrone

36 Minutes and 12 rounds

By M.DeTyrone

What is boxing? One can use the simple definition about boxing just being the art of attack and defense by using one’s fist. In my opinion, boxing is such much more it’s a war between two opponents that involves skills, intelligence, top physical and psychological preparation, and willpower for 12 or 10 three minutes battles. The boxer that achieves the use of effective aggression, defense, ring generalship, and lands the clean and hard punches within 10 or 12 rounds should win the boxing match, if judged correctly. In a championship fight, the goal is to achieve the highest score nearest 120 points at the end of the fight… in the eyes of the three judges or eliminate the opponent from being a competitor in any of those 12 rounds. The goal is to win within the accepted rules of the commission. There is nothing more and nothing less!

 Now, the more balanced boxer should always win the majority of the time although there are exceptions, since in boxing a KO can change the outcome of a fight. When I comment about a balanced boxer, I mean a boxer, which is in constant position to land combinations and clear hard punchers by controlling the momentum, distance, timing, and space. The higher classes of boxers have more balance visibly seen compared to the lower class skilled boxer.

 “And as water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy. Thus, one able to gain the victory by modifying his tactics in accordance with the enemy situation may be said to be divine.” – Sun Tzu

How can you recognize a good to elite boxers? I will comment this like it or not boxing has a hierarchy based on a meritocratic / Darwinian “survival of the fittest” system that’s why I wouldn’t call anyone great or good without any true test of skills, accomplishments, or a record without adversity. What do I look for? I look for a good boxer, which has the ability to constantly change or switch up their styles to take advantage of an opponent’s lack of skills and weakness during a boxing bout. You can notice a boxer’s intelligence and experience when he’s able to grasp and take advantage of every opportunity offered by a weakness in the opponent by using a combination of momentum, power, footwork, speed, accuracy, feinting, and timing. A good and elite boxer nullifies or offset the opponent’s attacking strengths and they force the opponents to adapt to their style of boxing, which the opponents lacks skills. In the Art of War Sun Tzu once wrote, “Thus, those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strengths.” Now, for the more experienced boxer there’s hardly anything, which they can’t cope with, that could develop during the 36 minutes of combat, unless they are long past their prime, then they can be outmatched.

“Strike at the enemy as swiftly as a falcon strike its target. It surely breaks the back of its prey for the reason that it awaits the right moment to strike. Its movement is regulated.” – Tu Yu

A boxer that makes the correct judgment throughout the fight on the correct moment to land his combinations controls the timing and without controlling the distance, a boxer can’t use his timing. A boxer that uses timing with accuracy is very dangerous especially when facing opponents that use repetitive combinations by creating an artificial impression of speed or boxers that constantly rely on their speed. A boxer with good speed, timing, and accuracy is dangerous because they land accurate combinations or an accurate power punch in less time than the opponent’s reaction. Many times resulting in hurting an opponent, a knockdown, or a KO of the opponent.

“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.” – Sun Tzu

                                                                                                                                           

A boxer that uses effectively the amount space in the ring thus controls the space and this is very important for all boxing styles. It’s a tactical weapon for pure-boxers and boxer-punchers, which use their knowledge of the ring for footwork and defense and the sluggers and infighters, use their knowledge of the ring to trap and corner opponents. In essence, a boxer that controls the amount of space between the opponents controls the distance something, which is essential for all boxing styles from sluggers, boxer-punchers, pure-boxers, and infighters, all seek to control the distance. If a boxer can’t close the distance there’s no way he can constantly land effective punches and use effective aggression, overall, a lower class boxer.

“When I wish to avoid battle I may defend myself simply by drawing a line on the ground; the enemy will be unable to attack me because I divert him from going where he wishes.” – Sun Tzu

If a boxer controls the distance with good footwork and defensive skills the result is that they are in a good position and is limiting the opponent’s ability to land clear effective punches. That’s when that boxer is constantly landing first and is imposing their style on the opponent they’re controlling the pace and the work rate of the fight as a result they control the momentum. The only way to stop their momentum is by out working them with speed, timing, power to regain the momentum. Dynamic boxers with world-class experience can seize the momentum once again with more ease than the static boxers that tend to rely on imposing their willpower on an opponent.  

“In battles based on martial strategy, it is taboo to let your opponent take the initiative, thus putting yourself on the defensive. You must try at all cost to lead your opponent by taking complete control of him. During combat, your opponent intends to dominate you as much as you want to dominate him, so it is vital that you pick up on your opponent’s intentions and tactics so as to control him… according to the principle of martial strategy , you must be able to control your opponent(s) at all times.” – Miyamoto Musashi

All these boxers, trainers, commentators, and fans that whine all over the web and television about a boxer “running” are admitting that their boxer lacked the necessary skills to dominate an opponent or adjust. That’s why they will remain always weak and exposed when faced with tough opposition regardless of their fan base, or what the boxing media tries to construct.  

The KO Power Rankings: 2015 Mid-Year Middleweights

The KO Power Rankings: 2015 Mid-Year Middleweights

By M.DeTyrone

Middleweights

1.      Gennady Golovkin 91%KO 30 KOs in 33 fights

2.      David Lemieux 86%KO 31 KOs in 36 fights

3.      Daniel Jacobs 87% KO 26 KOs in 30 fights

4.      Miguel Cotto 75% KO 33KOs in 44 fights

5.      Peter Quillin 69% KO 22 KOs in 32 fights

6.      Andy Lee 65% KO 24 KOs in 37 fights

7.      Curtis Stevens 63% KO 20 KOs in 32 fights

8.      Saul Alvarez 68% KO 32 KOs in 47 fights

9.      James Kirkland 82% KO 28 KOs in 34 fights

10.  Michel Soro 60% KO 17 KOs in 29 fights

ROUND 1: GGG 5 | Lemieux 11 | Jacobs 12 | Cotto 1 | Quillin 9 | Lee 6 | Stevens 11 | Alvarez 5 | Kirkland 9

ROUND 2: GGG 5 | Lemieux 14 | Jacobs 4 | Cotto 5 | Quillin 6 | Lee 4 | Stevens 5 | Alvarez 7 | Kirkland 5

ROUND 3: GGG 7 | Lemieux 2 | Jacobs 2 | Cotto 2 | Quillin 1 | Lee 1 | Stevens 1 | Alvarez 2 | Kirkland 8

ROUND 4: GGG 2 | Lemieux 1 | Jacobs 2 | Cotto 4 | Quillin 1 | Lee 2 | Alvarez 4

ROUND 5: GGG 3 | Lemieux 1 | Jacobs 3 | Cotto 5 | Quillin 1 | Lee 4 | Alvarez 3

ROUND 6: GGG 2 | Cotto 2 | Quillin 1 | Lee 3 | Stevens 1 | Alvarez 3 | Kirkland 3

ROUND 7: GGG 2 | Lemieux 1 | Cotto 4 | Quillin 1

ROUND 8: GGG 2 | Cotto 2 | Lee 2 | Stevens 1 | Alvarez 1 | Kirkland 2

ROUND 9:  Cotto 3 | Alvarez 3

ROUND 10: GGG 1 | Lemieux 1 | Cotto 1 | Quillin 2 | Lee 2 | Stevens 1 | Alvarez 2

ROUND 11: GGG 1 | Cotto 3 | Alvarez 1

ROUND 12:  Jacobs 1 | Cotto 1 | Alvarez 2