Against Amir Khan, Canelo Alvarez showed why he’s considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. His size on fight night is a huge advantage over any opponent he steps in the ring against, yes even GGG. Are their holes in his boxing game? Does he have to sharpen his skills? Does he leave himself open when throwing huge looping punches?
Sure, but his natural gifts help him overcome those deficiencies.
In the early rounds of the fight Amir Khan danced circles around him in route to an early lead on the cards. It wasn’t until Canelo came out of his corner to start the 5th round that he adjusted. Canelo stopped swinging wildly and instead focused on delivering body punches to Khan. If you’ve seen Canelo’s previous fights you’ll notice that his work to the body is what opens up his finishes and tires out his opponents. The same happened tonight against Amir Khan.
Khan’s movement diminished greatly in the 5th and 6th rounds. Canelo was able to bait Khan into trading punches with him and with no real threat of being hurt by Amir’s punches, Canelo was able to absorb 3 to give 1.
He saw that strategy pay off in the 6th round when he landed a devastating right hand that put Khan down for good.
Canelo Alvarez knocks out Amir Khan with a monstrous shot #boxing #CaneloKhan pic.twitter.com/QAIP7Wi7rT
— Frontproof Media (@FrontProofMedia) May 8, 2016
The punch happened so fast that the crowd had a collective gasp, silence and then eruption.
Canelo wasted no time addressing GGG after the fight.
“I invited him to come to the ring. Like we say in Mexico ‘we don’t fuck around.’ I don’t fear anyone; we don’t come to play in this sport. I fear no one in this sport. Right now I will put on the gloves again and fight him,” said Alvarez.
Oscar De La Hoya even addressed booking the Golovkin fight at the post-fight press conference, “That [Golovkin] is the fight to make.”
Oscar even made a point to tell Golovkin to make sure he answers his phone tomorrow morning because he will be calling.
GGG wasn’t at the post-fight press conference but he was ringside to see that monster KO. GGG is known for his KO power but tonight he saw the man he wants to fight buckle his opponent with a thunderous punch. The question will be whether GGG trains for the man who fought the 6th round or the frustrated boxer that fought Khan in the first 4 rounds of the fight?
There’s a lot to take away from this fight and the questions won’t be answered until Canelo stands face to face with GGG in the ring.