Opinions and Observations: Canelo-Munguia

Jaime Munguia was the first fighter who really brought it to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez since Gennadiy Golovkin's prime. Over the last half-decade, Canelo's opponents have most often played a glorified game of peak-a-boo where they remained on the outside, hoping to peck and paw, not willing to go into Canelo's kitchen. Munguia had no such caution. From the opening bell, Munguia was determined to go after Canelo, to bring volume with him and to let his power shots flow. He was there to mix it up. 

It had been so long since we had seen Canelo with such an opponent that Munguia instantly asked questions of him. Can Canelo handle the volume? Is his chin still sturdy against a guy throwing big power shots? Would he be able to maintain a fast pace for 12 rounds? 

Munguia was effective in asking those questions of Canelo; however, Canelo answered all of them affirmatively. After the first three rounds where Munguia more than held his own, Canelo started to throw the types of pulverizing counter shots that initially led to his fame in the sport. And in a further turning back of the clock, Canelo wasn't just throwing one shot at a time; he let his hands go in combination. 

Canelo (right) throwing a right hand
Photo courtesy of Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions 

Take the knockdown in the fourth round. Canelo dropped Munguia for the first time in his career with a sizzling left hook/right uppercut combination. He even threw a clean-up left hook that didn't land as Munguia was already on his way down. Throughout the fight Canelo was letting his hands go in twos and threes and it was a thrilling reminder of how skilled and dynamic a craftsman he can be. Yes, Canelo had the heavier hands, but he also had significant advantages in punch placement, creativity, and a larger punch arsenal. 

Perhaps the biggest advantage he had in the fight was defense. Canelo was magnificent in catching shots on his arms, taking a step back to evade big punches, and using head movement. He had a full complement of defensive techniques that he employed to tame an active, aggressive power puncher. 

CompuBox credited Munguia with landing 170/663 punches (25.6%) and 96/328 power punches (29.3%). And let's take a minute to understand just how many big power shots that Canelo evaded: over 230 of them! These weren't shots from well out of range or thrown with terrible technique; Canelo was mostly right in front of Munguia, who doesn't have bad hand speed, and yet the overwhelming majority of punches failed to land. It was a stunning defensive display. 

But let's also give Munguia credit. Although he didn't land at a high percentage, he did certainly land. Connecting with 170 blows is nothing to sniff at; it's almost 100 more than Jermell Charlo landed in Canelo's last fight. And many of these were big punches from a hard-hitting super middleweight, and not someone moving up from 154 lbs. 

Munguia certainly had a case for winning three or four rounds in the fight and he landed some blistering shots over the course of the bout. So, let's also praise Canelo's chin. He took some big bombs throughout the night yet was never in any real trouble. His defense was great, but his sturdy chin insured his preeminence on the night.

The two boxers appreciating each other post-fight
Photo courtesy of Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions 

Overall, I was really entertained by the fight. Both took turns countering and leading. And there were portions of the bout where each one tried to drive the other back. It turned out to be a wonderful showcase for what Canelo can offer in the ring. However, Munguia pushed him; he made Canelo bring out long-dormant sides of his game. 

Canelo won by unanimous decision, but it was a competitive fight. Munguia showed that he has the offensive skills and internal fortitude to become an important part of the North American boxing landscape. He answered many questions as well. When the going got tough, he didn't fold or become cautious. He continued to go right at Canelo; a sign of a real fighter.  

I'm not sure if Canelo-Munguia will be remembered decades from now, but let's not let legacy cloud the overall satisfaction from Saturday's fight. Yes, the fighter who was supposed to win, won, and the bout wasn't one of those fights that had any doubt as to who deserved the victory. But boxing is also about entertainment. And Canelo-Munguia had that in spades. 

Munguia was out to make a name for himself. Although he ran into a superior talent, he wasn't dissuaded. And Canelo, the old veteran, relished the give-and-take of the combat. He seemed to love being in a fight where he didn't have to go looking on milk cartons for his opponent. It was two guys slugging it out for glory. There were bombs a-flyin', the crowd cheering, and two boxers giving it their best in the ring. In the end, the word that sprang to mind was enjoyment. And we certainly don't use that word enough when it comes to boxing. The fight delivered. There were smiles all around. Job well done to both. 

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. 

He's a contributing writer for Ring Magazine, a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook 

Canelo-Munguia: Preview and Prediction

In an all-Mexican showdown that promises to feature a steady supply of power punches, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) square off on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will be contested for Canelo's undisputed status (all four major title belts) at super middleweight. 

From a stylistic standpoint, the match should deliver the goods. Munguia is a power-punching, high-volume, aggressive fighter, while Canelo packs the single-shot knockout weapons and large punch arsenal that has made him one of the top fighters in the sport. For Munguia, 27, this is the big fight that he and his fans have been waiting for. Since establishing himself on the world level at 154-lbs. in 2018, Munguia has faced a parade of B-level fighters while his team conspicuously turned down higher-level opportunities against more notable fighters. 

Munguia has recently switched trainers, from Erik Morales to Freddie Roach. He's coming off a destructive ninth-round stoppage against John Ryder, where Munguia outperformed Canelo against a common opponent (Canelo beat Ryder by a decision in a pedestrian performance, although he did knock down Ryder once). Canelo, 33, was last in the ring in September, where he dominated undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo, winning a wide decision and scoring a knockdown. 

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez 
Photo courtesy of Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

The two main factors when analyzing this matchup are Munguia's volume advantage and his leaky defense, and these two aspects may wind up becoming interrelated on Saturday. Munguia will frequently average 70 or 80 punches a round. Although he has demonstrated a usable jab at points, he's mostly a combination puncher. He often throws three and four-punch combinations and isn't worried if the first or second punch doesn't land. He's looking to probe an opponent's defense with his combinations. 

Munguia throws essentially every punch in the book and has the power to hurt foes with his straight right, left hook and uppercuts. He can also loop his punches so even his "straight right" doesn't always appear to come in that straight, giving him the advantage of landing shots from unusual angles. He's also equally comfortable going to the body or the head.  

An opponent's volume can be a blessing or a curse for counterpuncher. Unlike Canelo a decade ago, he no longer lets his hands go that much as he has moved up in weight. He often settles between 30-40 punches per round, and sometimes it's far less than that. Although his timing is impeccable and his counters are hard, he isn't going to match Munguia punch-for-punch. Structurally, that advantage helps Munguia with the judges if he isn't taking huge punishment in return. The judges will see him more active; he'll be the one making the fight. 

Canelo is going to have to identify openings and make Munguia pay for his volume. And this shouldn't be that difficult of an undertaking since every opponent seems to land flush shots on Munguia. To Munguia's credit, he has demonstrated a sturdy chin and if he is hurt, like he was in the Derevyanchenko fight, he's shown strong recuperative powers. So, it will not be enough for Canelo to hurt Munguia once, or land something hard a couple of times; he will need to do so on a consistent basis to see the fight go his way. In the rounds where he cannot land his thudding artillery, expect Munguia to get the benefit from the judges. 

Jaime Munguia
Photo courtesy of Esther Lin/Showtime

Of course, Canelo can fight more than one way, and there's no law that says he has to fight as a counterpuncher against Munguia. As Canelo has aged, he's been very effective as a walk-down pressure fighter. I don't think that Munguia will be compliant in allowing that fight to happen consistently, but if Canelo can get Munguia on the back foot through portions of the bout, that will be a great benefit to him; Munguia isn't nearly as effective when boxing off the back foot than when he's going forward. 

It's possible that Canelo will try to hold the center of the ring and look for opportunities to sharp shoot as Munguia opens up with combinations. The openings should be there, not because Munguia has bad balance, but he does often overshoot his punches or throw punches from the wrong range. Although he will get his shots home, he'll be missing a lot as well, providing ample opportunity for Canelo to counter. Canelo's head movement and overall defensive technique will be a significant advantage for him in the fight.

Prediction: 

As dynamic as Munguia is offensively, I don't like anyone's chances against Canelo when giving him ample free shots during a 12-round fight. The only fighter who in my opinion that has survived that strategy and live to tell about it was Gennadiy Golovkin, who should have been awarded a least one victory against Canelo. Golovkin had a superhuman beard, and although Munguia's chin has been good, he has never faced a level of puncher like Canelo. 

I think that Munguia will pull ahead to an early lead in the fight. He'll feel confident with his offense and Canelo will take a few rounds to study Munguia, see what's in front of him and figure out the angles for the counters. By the fourth round I expect Canelo to start landing his fair share of pulverizing power punches. The middle rounds of the fight are where I believe the bout will get explosive. Munguia won't want to back down and he will be motivated to return any punishment that he receives in kind. 

But ultimately, I think that Canelo is too sharp of a puncher and Munguia's defense is too leaky. There are only so many shots a super middleweight can take from Canelo. I think that Munguia's skin will start to open up and he'll have issues with facial swelling as the fight progresses. I think that Munguia will start to have problems seeing the punches coming, which will spell the end for him in the fight. I expect the match to be stopped late. Let's call it for the 11th round. 

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez TKO 11 Jaime Munguia. 

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. 

He's a contributing writer for Ring Magazine, a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook 

Bivol A Problem Now Worth Solving

In the waning days of HBO Boxing, Dmitrii Bivol was promoted by the network as an emerging star, a knockout machine and a fighter ready to take on the best in boxing. Yet over time, the light heavyweight's luster dimmed. Prior to his upset victory earlier this year over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Bivol had squandered much of his earlier fanfare. While his manifold skills remained, the knockouts didn't, and without them his brand of technical mastery didn't appeal to certain corners of boxing fandom. Bivol was often criticized for being robotic, doing just enough to nick rounds, and not keeping his foot on the gas. 

To those who doubted his prospects against elite competition, he provided a couple of data points to support that belief. In 2019, he was cracked late in a fight against Joe Smith and it took him well over a round to recover. In addition, after a long layoff due to the COVID pandemic, Bivol put forth a listless performance against Craig Richards, where Bivol almost squandered a sizable lead. Perhaps ring rust was to blame, or maybe his heart wasn't into the sport as it once was...or maybe, these are just some of the things that happen in boxing – fighters will get cracked from time to time and almost everyone has an off-night of some form. 

But there's no denying that something has clicked for Bivol in 2022. Facing an elite talent in Canelo and a legitimate contender in Gilberto Ramirez, he's lost no more than a handful of rounds (ignore the official Canelo cards; they were absurd). Bivol was able to neutralize both opponents even though they possessed wildly divergent skill sets and strategies in the ring. 

Photo Courtesy of Mark Robinson

Canelo tried to KO Bivol with single left hooks and right hands. He probably saw the Joe Smith fight and believed that he had the delivery system to land his best punches and take Bivol out. And even though Canelo was able to connect with a couple of those menacing power punches (a right uppercut in the fourth and a left hook in the 12th were two memorable shots), Bivol was able to take his power. Furthermore, Bivol dominated almost all of the rest of the action in the fight. As Canelo waited to throw, Bivol peppered him with shots – leads and counters, lefts and rights, it didn't matter. 

When Canelo changed tactics, moving to the ropes to try to pick Bivol off when he was coming in, Bivol exhibited the same type of mastery. His hand speed was superior. He kept enough distance to remain defensively responsible, and his feet were almost always moving to reset the action. Canelo did have a Plan B, but it turned out to be just as feckless as Plan A; Bivol was that brilliant.  

Ramirez's in-ring attributes differed significantly from Canelo's. Long, rangy, a southpaw, a fighter who liked to throw volume to the head or body, Ramirez could win in a variety of ways. Yet, Bivol confounded him. Bivol immediately targeted the wide gap between Ramirez's gloves, shooting quick counters down the middle. Bivol's output and accuracy forced Ramirez into indecision. By the end of the first third of the fight, Ramirez lacked confidence in throwing his best punches and no longer believed that he could have success as the aggressor. As a result, most of the fight was essentially a high-level technical boxing match from the outside, where Ramirez stood no chance against the better boxer with faster hands and superior accuracy.  

And similar to the Canelo fight, Bivol didn't throw pitty-pat punches. He connected with hard hooks and right hands. In perhaps one of his best maneuvers, which was completely missed by the DAZN commentary team, Bivol would counter in the southpaw position with a straight left hand. Ramirez couldn't adjust to that move all fight. Ultimately, Bivol won nine or ten rounds of the fight and once again displayed his mastery in the ring. 

Bivol has a very large toolkit, but he doesn't necessarily feature all of it against every opponent. For instance, there were occasions where he demonstrated his brilliance on the inside against Canelo, but against Ramirez he was rarely closer than mid-range. Yes, he sometimes doesn't sit down on his shots, but when he needed to against Canelo and Ramirez, he threw plenty of punches with spite. Bivol can do lots of things in the ring, but he has a belief in a certain type of domination that strips opponents of their hope. He wants to disparage and dissuade, and not do anything that could embolden them. Thus, some of his weapons will stay holstered given a particular matchup.  

At the start of 2022, Bivol wasn't necessarily in anyone's plans to become one of the sport's dominant figures. He was seen as an inconvenient, tricky titleholder who could fail to inspire. But Bivol had his own designs for his future. Now he has demonstrated that he can shut down great fighters, but he's also far more than just a defensive wizard. That he was once considered a KO machine is now a quaint memory, but he has reminded us that he packs a punch. Don't let his smoothness in the ring or his mild temper out of it fool you; his fire burns. He wants the best and has proven that he isn't afraid of a modern-day legend or a popular fighter with an undefeated record. 

Bivol's 2022 has changed the trajectory of his career. His bank accounts are much flusher, but seemingly more important to him, he is accomplishing his goals. He wants to measure up to the best of his era and build a legacy. 

And to the boxing industry, Bivol once again matters. He is a problem, and because of his fantastic showing this year, it's now worth it to see if anyone can solve him. He is a great fighter, but he's also become important. Bivol has made the stars align. 

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. He's a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook. 

Canelo-Golovkin 3: Preview and Prediction

Almost five years to the day of their first fight, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) and Gennadiy Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) square off for the third time on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This fight will be contested for Canelo's four belts and undisputed status at super middleweight. For Golovkin, who has spent his career at 160 lbs., Saturday's bout will be his first major fight in the super middleweight division.

Their first fight in 2017 ended in a ridiculous controversial draw, with almost everyone believing that Golovkin had done more than enough to deserve the victory. Although there were portions of the fight where Canelo performed well, Golovkin's consistent and successful offensive attacks carried the majority of the rounds. 

Canelo-Golovkin II was initially delayed because of Alvarez's failed PED test. When they did fight again in September 2018, the match was contested far more on even terms. Whereas much of the first fight was spent with Golovkin on the front foot and Canelo countering off the ropes, the rematch was mostly conducted in the middle of the ring with both fighters giving and taking in violent and thrilling exchanges. Canelo won the rematch via a majority decision in a fight where both boxers had a legitimate case for the victory (I scored it for Golovkin, 115-113).

Canelo with promoter Eddie Hearn
Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland

After that fight, Canelo decided to seek out other opponents and Golovkin was left trying to regain momentum. Canelo has fought eight times since their second fight to four for Golovkin. 

Entering Saturday's fight, both find themselves at markedly different points in their career. At 32, Canelo is still close enough to his physical prime. Although he recently dominated the super middleweight champions to become undisputed at 168, Canelo struggled earlier this year in a loss to light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, where he couldn't land enough power shots to counteract Bivol's volume, precision and movement. 

In two of his last three fights, Golovkin, the previously indestructible force, looked vulnerable. He could have lost the Sergiy Derevyanchenko fight with different judges. Earlier this year, Ryota Murata teed off on Golovkin in the opening rounds of their fight before GGG rallied to win by a ninth-round stoppage.  At 40, Golovkin no longer can pull the trigger like he once could. Although his granite chin remains, both Derevyanchenko and Murata were able to hurt him to the body. Yet, despite these struggles, Golovkin became a unified middleweight champion for a second time with the win over Murata. 

The essential questions going into Saturday's fight are: 

1. What style will Canelo employ during the fight? 

2. What does Golovkin have left? 

As Canelo has gained weight (and aged), he has changed his style considerably. Whereas Alvarez once dazzled with combination punching and countering, he has most recently fought as a walk-down stalker who throws single power shots. Although this approach led to thrilling stoppages against Sergey Kovalev and Caleb Plant, it was mostly ineffective against Bivol. With this style, Canelo runs the risk of losing rounds by not being active enough. And if the home run punch doesn't come...

But I have a hunch that Canelo will incorporate elements from his past styles to fight Golovkin. Tactically, GGG presents too many opportunities to counter. It's a major advantage that Canelo will have in the fight; it would be a mistake if he ignores this dynamic.

Golovkin is not a fighter who often cedes ground in the ring (although it has happened on occasion). GGG will want to control the center and establish his jab. If Canelo wants to walk forward without throwing punches, Golovkin, even at this age, will be happy to stick a sharp jab in his face. So instead of Canelo relying on a single haymaker left hook or a home run right hand, he may look to hit doubles (to keep the baseball analogy). He needs to take advantage of his opportunities and let his hands go with combinations when countering.

Golovkin at Wednesday's grand arrival
Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland

Saturday's fight may come down to the following dynamic: Will Canelo be savvy enough to take what's given to him, or will he insist on loading up for the KO? Even at 40, I'm not convinced that Golovkin's chin can be dented in a serious way, but there certainly are holes in his defense. And to Golovkin's detriment, he still fights as if his hand speed is what it was five or six years ago, even though that is clearly not the case. But will Canelo take advantage of this?

If Canelo is patient and not greedy, he can counter with regularity, land flashy shots and cause damage. He may not be able to stop Golovkin or drop him, but if he can make peace with that, it's his best path to victory.  

However, if Canelo is insistent on going for the KO with his recent low volume, single-shot approach, the fight could get a lot more interesting on the scorecards. If Canelo waits for perfect openings, Golovkin will hit him consistently with jabs and power shots. Prolonged periods of inactivity from Canelo will play into Golovkin's hands.  

Prediction: 

I think that Canelo's countering ability will be the X-factor in the fight. If he's content to let Golovkin do his work for him, then Canelo will have more than enough skill, accuracy and power to land the more eye-catching shots. But I have no doubt that ego will play a role during the fight. I'm sure that Canelo will have moments where he believes a single overhand right or a massive left hook will be able to drop Golovkin. And as he waits for those openings, Golovkin will be able to land his jab and straight power shots. If Canelo respects Golovkin's abilities, then I think he boxes his way to a convincing victory that puts this rivalry to bed. But I don't know if we will see that over 12 rounds.

Golovkin's jab will still be able to hit the target and create openings during portions of the fight. He will land with regularity, especially if Canelo doesn't punish him with counters. However, I do question Golovkin's ability to stay out of trouble while standing right in front of Canelo. At a certain point, with his arms constantly in motion and without blazing speed, he becomes a big target for Canelo's return fire.  

I'm going to split the difference here. I think that Canelo wins, and without controversy, but Golovkin will have enough moments during the fight to remind boxing fans why he was such a special talent at his best. It will be an exciting fight. Canelo won't get the stoppage that he desires, but in rediscovering his counters and combinations, he will cement an impressive victory. 

Saul Alvarez defeats Gennadiy Golovkin 116-112. 

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. He's a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook. 

Opinions and Observations: Canelo-Bivol

Light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol sent shockwaves throughout boxing on Saturday by defeating Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, the biggest star in the sport and one of its best practitioners. Yet, despite the enormity of the result, the fight offered few heroics or magical moments. It was essentially the same round after round. Bivol's high-energy work rate, dazzling left hand and sublime movement didn't allow Canelo to have many periods of sustained success. Bivol won 115-113 on all three cards, but those tallies flattered Canelo, who more likely won two or three rounds in the contest. 

Bivol's victory was comprehensive. He boxed 12 rounds without facing much duress and he seemed fresh as a daisy at the end of the fight. Although he never seriously hurt Canelo, his hand speed, mastery of distance and punch accuracy defanged Alvarez, who struggled to put punches together and had few answers in the center of the ring, where most of the fight was contested. 

That Bivol won a number of rounds against Canelo wasn't necessarily a surprise, but his chin held up better than many anticipated. Although Alvarez didn't land often throughout the fight, he did connect with a number of signature shots. He landed a scorching right uppercut at the end of the fourth round and a monster left hook at the beginning of the 12th, yet Bivol was unfazed by them. Canelo also got through with a number of hard left hooks to the body, but Bivol didn't wither. 

Bivol's left hand was dominant throughout the fight
Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland

Canelo's most recent ring style has been predicated on physically intimidating his opponents and scoring knockouts. Ignoring the importance of punch volume, he banked on his pressure and punching power to get the job done. It's a high-risk style when the knockout doesn't come.

Although Canelo had moved up from 168 to 175 lbs. for the fight, it wasn't Bivol's physicality or punching power that proved to be insurmountable; it was his length and control of distance. Bivol, mostly sticking to the outside, fired a piston left jab. And as successful as that punch was, his left hook was even better. His hook, tight and thrown with a lot of deception, came from the exact same arm slot and trajectory as his jab. Only at the last moment did he turn the punch over, and he consistently befuddled Canelo with the shot. And it's not just the mechanics of the punch, it's how he utilized it: lead shots, in combination off the jab and as a counter. In addition, he never fell in with the punch. His balance and distance were perfect, which enabled him to limit Canelo's counters. 

But Bivol wasn't a one-handed fighter. He mixed in a number of rapid-fire right hands, usually as part of a combination after a left. The speed of his right was disarming and there were numerous occasions where he hit a completely defenseless Canelo with it. 

Canelo had two plans throughout the fight, and neither worked well. He started off as the stalker, trying to push Bivol back. But Bivol's great feet and punching range didn't allow Canelo to apply successful pressure. Far too often Canelo was following Bivol and getting popped in the mouth. After struggling with Bivol's athleticism, Canelo tried his luck with his back to the ropes, specifically in the fifth, eighth and ninth rounds. And although Bivol complied by coming forward, he maintained appropriate distance, didn't smother his shots and didn't make the types of mistakes that would allow Canelo to counter successfully. Everything was contained and clean.  

Bivol's game plan was masterful and even though it appeared that he was well ahead in the championship rounds, he wisely refused to take his foot off the gas. Even after getting hit with a few menacing shots to begin the 12th, he wouldn't yield or give up the round. He dug in and turned it around. He wound up sweeping the final frame on the judges' cards; and sadly, that was needed to give him the victory. (It shouldn't have been that close.) 

Bivol was well-advised in his preparation for the bout and in the corner throughout the fight. He had a perfect blueprint to beat Canelo and his ability to win rounds cleanly, without getting greedy or sloppy, was laudable. He stayed switched on the whole fight and understood that as the foreign fighter (Russia) going up against the cash king he would be given no favors. Bivol competed all 12 rounds, but did so without succumbing to recklessness, machismo or desperation. He kept a cool head and stayed within himself all fight. And his success led to the quietest Canelo crowd in recent memory. 

Bivol confident before the final scores were announced
Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland

As for Canelo, many skills that he had displayed in the past could have come in handy against Bivol. Where were the long lead right hands from distance – the ones that dropped Austin Trout and led to the stoppage of Sergey Kovalev? What happened to the guy who used to be able to counter in combination in the center of the ring? For the most part, everything against Bivol was one shot at a time. And when all else failed, why didn't he try to rough Bivol up? Where was the grappling, the hitting in the clinch – the dark arts that can help swing a fight? Canelo seemed convinced that the one-shot knockout would come, and yet he spent so much of the night waiting.  

Bivol has now been a world champion for over four years, defending his title eight times. He has transitioned from an aggressive search-and-destroy fighter to a responsible boxer who doesn't allow many opportunities for his opponents. In his title defenses, only one foe (Craig Richards) has had more than fleeting success.

Bivol no longer cares about knockouts or looking good. He's a perfectionist who wants to win 120-108. Although his style might not create the next generation of boxing fans, his technical mastery is among the best in the sport. And while aesthetics may be great at the box office, Bivol is more concerned about winning. His mastery on Saturday was so complete that he was able to overcome not just the sport's biggest star, but the machinery of the boxing industry. For many years, Bivol has been considered inconvenient, but he will now have to be dealt with, and I bet that few fighters are celebrating that reality.  

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. He's a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook. 

The 2021 Saturday Night Boxing Awards

After a year that was curtailed by the COVID pandemic, boxing returned in 2021 with a full slate of compelling offerings. 2021 will be remembered for significant upsets and unification matches, including three undisputed fights: at junior welterweight, junior middleweight and super middleweight. Although boxing fans didn't get all of the big fights that they wanted (and frankly, this will never occur), there was more than enough quality to go around and some deserving award winners.  

Here are the 2021 Saturday Night Boxing Awards (the 11th annual edition), with accolades given for Fighter, Fight, Knockout, Round, Upset, Trainer, Promoter, Network and Referee. 

Fighter of the Year: Saul Alvarez

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez made history in 2021, becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion. He fought three times during the year and stopped each opponent: Avni Yildirim, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant; the last two were undefeated titleholders. 

Canelo with all the 168-lb. belts
Photo courtesy of Esther Lin

As Alvarez has moved up in weight over the past few years, he has perfected a come-forward style that relies on power punches and defensive head movement. Even though he lacked the foot speed of Saunders or Plant, he was able to impose his style on both opponents. It's also clear that Canelo is fighting at his optimal weight class. His endurance and conditioning are now more consistent. He also doesn't waste punches. Everything is thrown with purpose and usually with bad intentions. And his punching power is devastating at the weight. 

Canelo's activity level and quality of opposition also work in his favor. He's not out of the gym for too long and this has helped his consistency. Furthermore, he is now able to deal with difficult styles with more ease. In the past, movers such as Saunders and Plant could have led to potential losses, but he has now proven he can defeat that style without any controversy. Canelo's march to undisputed status at 168 has been one of the highlights of 2021. He also becomes the first two-time Saturday Night Boxing Fighter of the Year.  

Previous SNB Fighters of the Year:

2020: Teofimo Lopez
2019: Saul Alvarez
2018: Oleksandr Usyk
2017: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
2016: Carl Frampton
2015: Floyd Mayweather
2014: Naoya Inoue
2013: Adonis Stevenson
2012: Nonito Donaire
2011: Andre Ward 

Fight of the Year: Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder 3 

Fury-Wilder 3 is my pick for the best heavyweight fight of the past 20 years. Featuring five knockdowns, wild swings in momentum and both boxers giving everything they had in the ring, Fury-Wilder 3 was far more than a sporting contest; it was a fight for survival, almost primal in nature. Fury scored knockdowns in the 3rd, 10th and 11th while Wilder dropped Fury twice in the fourth. And although Fury winning by knockout (11th round KO) wasn't surprising given their second fight, the end result was less meaningful than the action that preceded it. This is a fight to show non-boxing fans; it was a perfect advertisement for the thrills that boxing can provide.  

Fury and Wilder go toe-to-toe
Photo courtesy of Mikey Williams

The fight highlighted the considerable talents of both combatants. Fury showcased his unusually large arsenal of punches for a heavyweight: jabs, left and right hooks, uppercuts, straight rights and body shots. He also further demonstrated the development of his inside fighting skills. His ability to grapple, use his body to lay on Wilder, and work in the clinch helped to deplete Wilder; it wasn't just his punching that led to victory. 

Wilder uncorked his missile-like right hand in the fourth round, but he also displayed additional skills that weren't present in the first two Fury fights. He jabbed to the body well to start the fight. He landed a couple of hellacious right uppercuts. He also countered well at points. 

Ultimately, Fury was the more versatile fighter, but he had to take some huge shots to get the win. Nothing was given to him and his victory was not guaranteed. 

The Fury-Wilder trilogy will be remembered for producing thrilling moments in the ring and their third fight will become part of heavyweight boxing lore. This fight will be watched for generations to come.

Previous SNB Fights of the Year:

2020: Zepeda-Baranchyk
2019: Inoue-Donaire
2018: Chisora-Takam
2017: Joshua-Klitschko
2016: Vargas-Salido
2015: Miura-Vargas
2014: Coyle-Brizuela
2013: Bradley-Provodnikov
2012: Pacquiao-Marquez IV
2011: Rios-Acosta

Knockout of the Year: Gabe Rosado KO 3 Bektemir Melikuziev

In the beginning of the fight Bektemir Melikuziev, known as Bek the Bully, was having his way with Gabe Rosado. Throwing menacing straight left hands to the body and sharp right hooks to the head, Bek forced Rosado to take a knee in the first round to stave off additional damage. 

Rosado celebrates after his knockdown
Photo courtesy of Stacey Snider

But the veteran Rosado started to notice some patterns. Before Melikuziev would throw his left to the body, there would be a slight hitch or delay in his delivery. In the third round Rosado waited for this hitch, and he unfurled the punch of his career. As soon as Bek cocked his left hand back, Rosado beat him with a straight right that connected with maximum force. Instantly, Rosado knew. He high-stepped it across the ring and celebrated triumphantly. The fight was over and in a career full of close losses and disappointments, belatedly Rosado had his signature moment. 

What made this knockout even more impressive was that there had been no softening up of Bek prior to the knockout. Rosado took out a rising prospect who was at full capacity. It was the perfect punch at the perfect time.  

Previous SNB Knockouts of the Year:

2020: (tie) Alexander Povetkin KO 5 Dillian Whyte and Gervonta Davis KO 6 Leo Santa Cruz
2019: Nonito Donaire KO 6 Stephon Young
2018: Naoya Inoue KO 1 Juan Carlos Payano
2017: Zolani Tete KO 1 Siboniso Gonya
2016: Hassan N'Dam KO 1 Alfonso Blanco
2015: Yenifel Vincente KO 3 Juan Dominguez
2014: Andy Lee KO 5 John Jackson
2013: Stephen Smith KO 5 Gary Buckland
2012: Juan Manuel Marquez KO 6 Manny Pacquiao
2011: Takashi Uchiyama TKO 11 Jorge Solis

Round of the Year: Kenshiro Teraji-Masamichi Yabuki, Round 9 

This little-seen fight from Japan was an absolute treat. Yabuki scored one of the upsets of the year when he defeated light flyweight champion Teraji by tenth-round stoppage. And the fight provided unexpected surprises throughout. Although Teraji was supposed to be the more polished and technical fighter, in the early rounds of the bout Yabuki was superior, especially when countering on the inside. But eventually Teraji's pressure and work rate would lead to a tightening up of the scorecards. 

The ninth round was a thrilling battle with both fighters staggered at different times in non-stop action. In a dramatic moment, Teraji literally throws blood off the side of his face before uncorking a barrage of power punches, which forces Yabuki back to the ropes. In another great moment in the round, Yabuki is getting peppered with punches along the ropes and then explodes out of the corner with menacing punches that stun Teraji. Yabuki then takes the initiative and marches forward behind power shots, forcing Teraji, who had been the aggressor, to the other side of the ring. 

For those who like action along the ropes, this round was an example where both fighters did tremendous work. Teraji chopped away at Yabuki's body with left hooks and right uppercuts. And while Yabuki couldn't match Teraji's volume, he countered with brilliant right hands to the body and right uppercuts to the head. Overall, Teraji would get the best of the round, but not without taking significant punishment. There aren't too many available streams of this fight floating around, but if you can find one, check this gem out.   

Previous SNB Rounds of the Year:

2020: Jose Zepeda-Ivan Baranchyk Round 5
2019: Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Round 3
2018: Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury Round 12
2017: Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko Round 5
2016: Edwin Rodriguez-Thomas Williams Jr. Round 2
2015: Edwin Rodriguez-Michael Seals Round 1
2014: Thomas Williams Jr.-Cornelius White Round 1
2013: Tim Bradley-Ruslan Provodnikov Round 12
2012: Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Round 12
2011: Hernan Marquez-Luis Concepcion I Round 1

Upset of the Year: George Kambosos SD Teofimo Lopez

George Kambosos was an IBF mandatory challenger for Teofimo Lopez. In his previous fight, he had been fortunate to get the nod over the tricky Lee Selby, winning by split decision. It's not that Kambosos was a fighter undeserving of a title shot, but it was tough to foresee areas where he would have advantages over Lopez, who had dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko in his last bout. 

Kambosos (right) springs the upset
Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland

But this is why they fight the fights, and in this case, the bout was postponed multiple times over several months before it finally happened. According to Kambosos, he continued his training throughout the year, whereas Lopez had COVID, family problems, promotional difficulties and a huge case of hubris. He and his father were expecting an easy knockout. 

Lopez started the fight guns blazing, throwing every punch with knockout intentions. He connected with several power shots, but they were only coming one at a time. By the end of the round, Kambosos timed Lopez and dropped him with a beautiful counter right hand. 

Kambosos seized this moment and dominated the next several rounds of the fight. Featuring intelligent, compact boxing, he was far more active and he landed impressive right hands, jabs and left hooks. He also got the spacing right. He understood that Lopez was just trying to wing power punches. So, he used his legs and wasn't too greedy. He realized that Lopez wasn't interested in winning rounds and took advantage of that.

Lopez did eventually come back into the fight and dropped Kambosos in the tenth, but Kambosos dominated the eleventh, perhaps his best round of the match, and had a solid final round. Ultimately, Kambosos won by split decision, but all three judges were perhaps a little too kind to Lopez; he didn't have a legitimate case for winning. 

On a final note, some fighters don't like to watch tape of their opponents, claiming that what you see in the ring on fight night might not resemble what you've observed on tape. Although I'm not advocating that position, Lopez-Kambosos is an example of where the tape may not always be the final story. Kambosos scarcely resembled the rugged plodder who fought against Selby. Against Lopez he was a polished boxer with fluid skills and a multiplicity of weapons. Lopez and his father didn't foresee that level of improvement in Kambosos, and perhaps few others would have either, but Lopez and his corner never made any impactful adjustments. And that played a significant role in why they lost. 

Previous SNB Upsets of the Year:

2020: Robert Helenius TKO 4 Adam Kownacki
2019: Andy Ruiz TKO 7 Anthony Joshua
2018: Rob Brant UD Ryota Murata
2017: Caleb Truax MD James DeGale
2016: Joe Smith Jr. KO 1 Andrzej Fonfara
2015: Tyson Fury UD Wladimir Klitschko
2014: (tie) James de la Rosa UD Alfredo Angulo and Tommy Karpency SD Chad Dawson
2013: Jhonny Gonzalez KO 1 Abner Mares
2012: Sonny Boy Jaro TKO 6 Pongsaklek Wongjongkam

Trainer of the Year: Eddy Reynoso  

Even if Reynoso only trained Canelo during 2021 then he would still garner serious consideration for Trainer of the Year. However, his year included far more creditable work than just the results of his most famous pupil. Reynoso helped set the game plan for Oscar Valdez's destruction of Miguel Berchelt. He saw Ryan Garcia notch the most impressive win of his career over Luke Campbell. He won an intriguing 50/50 heavyweight prospect matchup with Frank Sanchez over Efe Ajagba. And he saw Andy Ruiz return to the win column, with a victory over Chris Arreola. 

In fact, Reynoso didn't lose a notable fight all year. He won fights as favorites and as underdogs. He demonstrated his abilities with fighters of vastly different skill sets and styles. In addition, he has helped to improve his fighters. Witness Oscar Valdez using his foot speed and clever angles to beat Berchelt or Garcia's ability to go to the body even with his tall frame. It was a great year for Reynoso and he becomes the first two-time winner of the Saturday Night Boxing Trainer of the Year. 

Previous SNB Trainers of the Year:

2020: Teofimo Lopez Sr.
2019: Eddy Reynoso
2018: Anatoly Lomachenko
2017: Derrick James
2016: Shane McGuigan
2015: Peter Fury
2014: Freddie Roach
2013: Kenny Porter
2012: Robert McCracken
2011: Robert Garcia

Promoter of the Year: Premier Boxing Champions   

I don't think that there was one boxing promoter/entity that had a truly magnificent year, but I believe that Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) was the best of the bunch. They were responsible for several of the best fights of the year, including Fury-Wilder 3 (co-promoted), Apochi-Glanton, Fulton-Figueroa, Charlo-Castano and Davis-Cruz. They also put together a series of outstanding fights in the junior featherweight division. 

Charlo-Castano was one of 2021's undisputed fights
Photo courtesy of Amanda Westcott

Most of PBC's top fights went to Showtime in 2021 (see the next award) while Fox has seemingly become a platform for several of their young fighters. In a perfect world, perhaps PBC would use the higher visibility of Fox for larger fights, but nevertheless, the company delivered quality throughout the year, and in 2021 that was more than enough to win the Promoter of the Year award. 

Previous SNB Promoters of the Year:

2020: Top Rank
2019: Matchroom Boxing
2018: Premier Boxing Champions
2017: K2 Promotions
2016: Matchroom Boxing
2015: Golden Boy Promotions
2014: Matchroom Boxing
2013: (tie) Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank
2012: Golden Boy Promotions
2011: Top Rank

Network of the Year: Showtime

After a couple of down years, Showtime rebounded with a strong 2021. Showtime sports head Stephen Espinoza did an excellent job in working with the PBC to get many of their best fights on his network or via Showtime pay per view. In particular, Showtime (and PBC) rewarded boxing fans with a series of great fights at junior featherweight and junior middleweight. 

At 122 lbs. this year, Stephen Fulton demonstrated that he is among the best fighters in the sport while Brandon Figueroa, Ra'eese Aleem and former champ Danny Roman have proven that they are formidable. At 154, Showtime broadcasted the undisputed fight between Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano. It was an excellent match, which resulted in a draw, and it certainly delivered value to their subscribers. 

ShoBox, Showtime's developmental series, went missing through large stretches of the year. I'm sure that the pandemic played a role in this, but hopefully we will see more of ShoBox in 2022; it plays a crucial role in the North American boxing developmental ladder.   

Previous SNB Networks of the Year:

2020: ESPN
2019: DAZN
2018: Showtime
2017: Showtime
2016: Sky Sports
2015: No award given
2014: ESPN
2013: Showtime
2012: BoxNation

Referee of the Year: Mark Lyson

In the fourth round of the Terri Harper-Alycia Baumgardner fight, Baumgardner connects with a short, powerful right hand and Harper completely freezes. She's out on her feet, but somehow she remains balanced in the center of the ring, with her hands down and her back towards Baumgardner. She's in no position to defend herself. Baumgardner rushes toward Harper and is about to throw a left hand, but referee Mark Lyson is quick enough to get between the two fighters and call off the bout. 

This all happens in an instant. Many refs wouldn't be in position to see the damage of Baumgardner's punch or wouldn't be close enough/fast enough to stop the action. But by not letting Baumgardner connect with that left hand, Lyson saved perhaps untold damage for Harper. 

A referee has a series of responsibilities to ensure that a fight transpires according to the rules, but what's paramount in all of their duties is fighter protection. Lyson was a credit to his profession on this night. He ensured that a defenseless fighter was saved from further punishment. In a normal year, the exemplary work that Nevada referee Russell Mora did in several high-profile fights would have won this award, but Harper-Baumgardner was a special circumstance. It was an unusual occurrence in the ring and Lyson handled the moment perfectly. He was in the right position and reacted incisively to limit further damage. His performance was an example of refereeing at its finest. 

Previous SNB Referees of the Year:

2020: Michiaki Someya
2019: No award given
2018: Jack Reiss
2017: David Fields
2016: Raul Caiz Sr.
2015: David Fields
2014: Steve Smoger
2013: Tony Weeks
2012: Eddie Claudio

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. He's a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com.

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