15 Comments

Josh Taylor is the only world champ having all 4 belts and is best candidate for fighter of the year.

Expand full comment

Once Canelo becomes undisputed its him. I want to say Taylor but fighting for undisputed and then Catterall will not be as impressive as Yildrim, BJS, Plant/ 3 fights > 2 fights

Expand full comment

Greetings Mr. G, since you implied that you like Mexican boxers, such as Canelo Alvarez, the following questions are for you...

My friend may I please know what is your earliest memory and/or history with my country of México or with Mexican culture as far back as you can possibly remember as a child or teenager in your native country?

In other words how did you first learn about México growing up?

Perhaps your very first knowledge about México, Mexicans or Mexican culture happened in school, or on the television, or on the radio or perhaps it was your parents or other family members or friends who first introduced you to anything relating to México or Mexican culture growing up? Or perhaps you first learned about México in some other way?

The reason for asking you all these strange questions is because we as Mexicans are extremely proud people, the proudest people for our country, for our culture and for our history (NOT proud for our corrupt government obviously) more so than any other nationality on Earth.

Because of our extreme patriotism we absolutely love when we see people from other countries and other ethnic backgrounds that have any personal interest in our country or in our culture or in our people. In your case with our Mexican boxers.

Seeing foreign people enjoying anything relating to our country and to our culture brings us much cultural pride, honor, joy and means more to us than you can possibly imagine.

This is why I'm asking you all these questions. I would truly appreciate your honest responses to all of my questions my friend. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Benito González García

Expand full comment

I wouldn't say Alvarez "dominated" until he broke Saunders orbital. I thought Saunders clearly won a few rounds prior to this.That said one of the things I admire about the mighty Mexican is his ability to work out a fighter, to solve the puzzle and adjust accordingly. Clearly he's a strong as a bull ( compare his physique to that of a few years ago ) but he's ring smart as well.

Expand full comment

Yes no one can question Canelo's boxing skills, he's clearly very talented however imo there's a question about how this fighter who used to have to fight at a catchweight (caneloweight) below 160lbs, when holding a 160lb belt, has become stronger, more powerful and muscular over recent years.

At the same time he no longer appears to gas at some point in the last half of a 12 rounder like he did earlier in his career.

Canelo could have continued with the single year 24/7/365 VADA contract that he was forced to take out by the WBC as a penalty for failing those tests for clenbuterol - the fact that he pulled out of such a program after only 1 year after he said he was desperate to show that he was a clean fighter and could easily afford it (Joshua, Whyte & Katie Taylor pay for it) imho makes many fans' suspicions about him very understandable.

Expand full comment

Indeed, for all his talents and success his change in physique is frankly startling.

Expand full comment

Greetings Gunboat Smith, my friend since you like Mexican boxers, the following questions are for you....

My friend may I please know what is your earliest memory and/or history with my country of México or with Mexican culture as far back as you can possibly remember as a child or teenager in your native country?

In other words how did you first learn about México growing up?

Perhaps your very first knowledge about México, Mexicans or Mexican culture happened in school, or on the television, or on the radio or perhaps it was your parents or other family members or friends who first introduced you to anything relating to México or Mexican culture growing up? Or perhaps you first learned about México in some other way?

The reason for asking you all these strange questions is because we as Mexicans are extremely proud people, the proudest people for our country, for our culture and for our history (NOT proud for our corrupt government obviously) more so than any other nationality on Earth.

Because of our extreme patriotism we absolutely love when we see people from other countries and other ethnic backgrounds that have any personal interest in our country or in our culture or in our people. In your case with our Mexican boxers.

Seeing foreign people enjoying anything relating to our country and to our culture brings us much cultural pride, honor, joy and means more to us than you can possibly imagine.

This is why I'm asking you all these questions. I would truly appreciate your honest responses to all of my questions my friend. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Benito González García

Expand full comment

Wow,Benito.. I thought this was a boxing site?

Well, just because you were so courteous in your post...The 1970 World Cup in Mexico is vivid in my memory as a child. In those days getting a color TV broadcast from a country as far away as Mexico was rare ( I lived in the UK at the time) Then films like John Huston's 1948 masterpiece, Treasure of the Sierra Madre as a teenager, beginning to be obsessed about film...and later the astonishing Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu debut film in 2000, Amores Perros as an adult, when I was a television commercials director. I've shot in Mexico a few times, it's a rich, vibrant country crammed with culture and wonderful people ( but sadly too often overshadowed or ridiculed by its bigger brother up north ). Indeed I've travelled all over the world in my work but its remains one of my favorite places.

Expand full comment

Wow!!! Your answers went far beyond of what I was expecting. Mr. Smith, you just made my entire day. You don't know how much this meant to me. It is really gratifying to see someone from another country that has such an incredible connection and/or interest with México. Thank you for your time and your responses Mr. Smith. You Sir are a true gentleman.

Respectfully,

Benito González García

Expand full comment

Also PAC Man if he finds a way to win

Expand full comment

Nonito bc of his skills that allow him to use his power at the right time and of course his past boxing history in the ring add to that the energy already generated by his (to be) rematch with "the monster" that will happen lot of people thought he could not continue at his age but.... And of curse Valdez never really gets looked at by the boxing media at large but he too carries the skill the transfers to exciting wins every time. And add the fact that he will be in an exciting fight next up also. Finally I do care to re watch anything Saul has done so far this year, but Nonito and Valdez yes worth a second look. It is a Draw on my card

Expand full comment

Josh Taylor for me - he had fought less than a round over the previous 19 months, was fighting away from home in Vegas against an opponent who was a unified champion like himself, and was a genuine threat for all the belts.

Despite the ridiculous cards produced by the Nevada judges Taylor clearly won the fight, dropping Ramirez twice, and didn't even need to produce his very best.

This means Taylor became undisputed lightweight champ in 18 fights - this may be nowhere near what Loma has achieved at lower weights but it's still an outstanding achievement.

Expand full comment

I'll second that. Taylor achievements have been astonishing.

Expand full comment

At the halfway point I would have to go Valdez. With how "calculated" matchmaking is I always hold those who won a belt as an underdog very high. But with how active Canelo is being, by the end of the year I would think he will be the clear fighter of 2021.

Expand full comment

Dan Raphael keeps the boxing execs up to date and the fans.....This is incredibly useful to all of us....I've been in the industry since 1971 and always had to do tremendous research....now it all comes via Dan.....Keep punching..

Expand full comment