After Saul “Canelo” Alvarez successfully defended his undisputed super middleweight crown against the highly durable John Ryder in front of 60,000 fans in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, one might expect him to be celebrated across the boxing world. However, instead of lauding the Mexican legend's recent victory, critics and ringside observers have been noting a decline in Canelo’s once-acute reflexes and skills. As fans debate the extent of Alvarez’s decline, it seems increasingly clear that the legendary boxer is entering the final chapter of his career.
On a recent episode of the “War a Week Radio” podcast, five-decade fight trainer James Gogue outlined the signs of an aging fighter. He claimed that Canelo appeared to reach his peak around 2020 or 2021 and hasn’t fought at the same level since achieving the undisputed super middleweight title. Gogue highlighted several indicators of decline, including Canelo getting hit more frequently during the John Ryder fight, suggesting his reflexes are slowing down. He also noted that Canelo’s punches were not as sharp or crisp as they once were, missing more opportunities to hit his target accurately.
Gogue observed that as a fighter begins to slip, their body’s ability to recover declines, making fights tougher and injuries more frequent and long-lasting. He also questioned Canelo's motivation after making hundreds of millions of dollars throughout his career, as the boxer has recently expressed interest in becoming a golf pro. However, Gogue did note that Canelo's chin and legs still seem durable, indicating that he is not entirely “shot” just yet.
While opinions on a fighter’s decline are subjective, Gogue raises valid points to consider when assessing the potential decline of a boxer’s skills and abilities. Key indicators include a fighter’s defensive skills, punch accuracy and power, ability to recover from injuries, motivation, and durability. It is crucial to recognize that a decline in any one of these areas does not necessarily mean a fighter is finished, but a noticeable decline in multiple areas may warrant concern. In the case of Canelo Alvarez, Gogue’s analysis suggests that his best days may be behind him, even as he continues to fight.
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