Dmitry Bivol needs to try to limit the damage but could still be stopped by Canelo Alvarez – Barry McGuigan
The opponents who caused difficulties for Canelo were skilful and fast boxers. His only defeat came from this Floyd Mayweather Jnr specimen.
Image: Getty Images)
In fact, Saul Alvarez vs. Dimitry Bivol is a match worthy of Canelo’s annual Cinco de Mayo showpiece in Las Vegas.
However, it is important to note that I do not agree with this fight. In support of Ukraine, I think all Russian fighters and athletes in other sports should be banned until the invasion stops.
The opponents who caused difficulties for Canelo were skilful and fast boxers. His only defeat came from this Floyd Mayweather Jnr specimen.
Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout were others who unbalanced him.
Bivol is of this variety. The only difference is that he fights more like an amateur, relying on his feet to get out of reach rather than upper body movement.
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Picture:
AFP via Getty Images)
This will be a problem against Canelo, who slices the ring as well as any I’ve seen.
His footwork is so good. Like fellow great warriors Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez, experts at taking down enemies, Canelo eventually draws you into a fight.
Conventional moves don’t work against him. He steps over when opponents are retreating, leading them to a right or left hook.
And Canelo does not miss. It may take four or five turns to reach his range, but he will eventually reach Bivol.
It took him 11 rounds to beat Bivol’s compatriot Sergey Kovalev. Bivol is better defensively than Kovalev, so in theory he will be harder to reach.
He’s also younger with fewer miles on the clock. But he doesn’t carry Kovalev’s knockout power, nor does he have the crusher’s experience.
To survive, Bivol must keep the fight in the center of the ring for as long as possible. In an emergency, he has at least four steps before his back hits the ropes.
But he doesn’t want to meet Canelo there. He must fight on his terms and stop Canelo from closing the ring.
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Picture:
AFP via Getty Images)
That means controlling distance with the jab. If he sees Canelo advance he has to step back and then throw quickly to keep Canelo away and then get back in the middle.
If Bivol doesn’t land clean, he must at least catch Canelo with something. The best way to do this is to aim for the chest. This way he hits part of the target and forces a reset.
Ultimately, we are talking about damage limitation. A Canelo point win is more likely, but don’t be surprised if Bivol is dispatched in the championship rounds.
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/canelo-alvarez-dmitry-bivol-fight-26897164 Dmitry Bivol needs to try to limit the damage but could still be stopped by Canelo Alvarez - Barry McGuigan
