There is just a day left for the crowd to light up the T Mobile Arena. They would be joining in droves to witness a once-in-a-lifetime kind of fight. After all, one doesn’t see two undisputed champions slugging it out too often. Canelo Alvarez will defend his Super Middleweight titles from Jermell Charlo, the Light Middleweight Champion, and remain singled out for a neat victory. So, does that mean the windows are closed for Jermell Charlo?

It shouldn’t be forgotten that in his nearly two-decade-long career, Canelo Alvarez has been beaten not once but twice. So, is that enough for Charlo to glee and consider it an easy task? Not in the least. There is a reason why the Mexican champion remains one of the greatest fighters of the era. The defeats drove home lessons that eventually turned him into a better boxer. Hence, the ‘Iron Man’ needs more than mere statistics to stage an upset day after tomorrow.

For starters, he can apply himself to pick up and study what precisely Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dmitry Bivol, the only two boxers who vanquished Alvarez back in the day, did to outsmart, outbox, and outmaneuver the undisputed Super Middleweight champion.

‘The One’

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Alvarez met for the first time in the ring ten years ago, on September 14, 2013. It was in 2007 that the former became a WBC Light Middleweight champion, defeating Oscar De La Hoya. It took him another five years to return to the division. He defeated Miguel Cotto and became the WBA (Super) Light Middleweight Champion. He decided to top it up a year later and challenge Canelo Alvarez’s WBC and The Ring titles.

The fight lasted twelve complete rounds. Many thought Alvarez would prove a tough cookie for Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, proving all naysayers wrong, the latter delivered a virtuosic performance, outclassing the Mexican champion. And how did he pull it off?

Lessons for Jermell Charlo

Many pundits surmise that Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s ability to neutralize his foe’s strengths remains a hallmark of his fighting style.

1. First things first, he gets into a fight with a strategy in mind. He uses the first few rounds to determine the opponent’s tactical standing. Then he picks up the timing and the distancing. The study helps him rejig his game suitably.
2. He might spend most of the round dodging blows and making constant movements. However, it doesn’t mean he will miss an opportunity to land a noteworthy shot.

Thus, after the first round, Mayweather Jr. observed that Alvarez was sluggish vis-à-vis hand speed. His punches kept on missing the target while his defense gradually keeled. He was moving slowly. Hence, the five-division champion could pick apart the Mexican superstar with ease. There was never a slowdown in his assault. Time and again, his counters, uppercuts, and crosses shook up Canelo Alvarez badly. Mayweather Jr. proved that he could reach Alvarez whenever he wanted. For the latter, returning the favor proved a difficult task.

‘Legacy is Earned’

It was a bitter experience for Canelo Alvarez. However, taking the failure in stride, he bettered himself to climb divisions over the next nine years and became a Light Heavyweight and Super Middleweight champion. The most glorious moment of his career came when he defeated Caleb Plant in 2021 and became an undisputed champion. But the following year, he launched another campaign in the Light Heavyweight category.

Canelo Alvarez met Dmitry Bivol at the T Mobile Arena on May 7, 2022. He was the obvious favorite to win. But the Russian was the tallest opponent the Mexican champion had ever faced. Add to that other features such as strength and agility, and Alvarez faced the most masterful and focused adversary ever. Like the previous loss, this bout, too, went the distance, with all the judges scoring unanimously in Bivol’s favor.

Lessons for Jermell Charlo

1. Dmitry Bivol was focused on the task at hand and did not waiver from his strategy even for a second. The Russian boxer put on a disciplined performance. Alvarez barely got a chance to penetrate his defenses.
2. With the help of persistent jabs, Bivol kept Alvarez on the defensive.
3. Initially, Alvarez came out swinging with punches targeting Bivol’s arms. But once again, using his jab, the latter unleashed efficient combinations.
4. By utilizing his strength, Bivol forced Alvarez back. Thus, it opened up space in between for him to land neat punches.

To sum it up, a series of one-twos and encircling moments while remaining away from the ropes were some of the fundamentals Dmitry Bivol stuck to. In the final analysis, the Light Heavyweight champion, by staying true to himself and making the most of his strengths—the fluidity of movement, power, and restraint—excelled and exceeded everyone’s expectations.

It should be remembered that it was Canelo Alvarez’s second attempt at the Light Heavyweight division. In 2019, he fought and knocked out Sergey Kovalev to become the WBO Light Heavyweight Champion. However, Dmitry Bivol proved himself a tactically superior boxer to Kovalev. Additionally, he boasted a powerful jab and impeccable sense of timing. He defeated the Mexican icon by establishing dominance in the ring’s center. It helped in forcing the latter to retreat. All the while, he kept his feet even when hit with devastating blows.

Read More: Will Canelo Alvarez Fight Be the Biggest Payday of $8,000,000 Champion Jermell Charlo’s Career?

What’s your take? Do you believe Charlo stands a chance against the mighty shots of the Mexican superstar? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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