Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin 2 Staff Pick & Forecast

Bloody Elbow staff presented their predictions for the return leg of Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) against Gennady Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs). go with the Mexican superstar to beat the Kazakh artist KO. Nobody predicts a knockout for a fighter, which is not surprising given the mentions of these guys.

Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez

Mookie Alexander: It is primarily a story of adjustments, and a story of whether Golovkin will be "old" or not. Sometimes this does not happen gradually in the sport. You have just introduced yourself one afternoon and perform at your age. Canelo is 28 and Golovkin is 36, and that is important. As far as adjustments are concerned, Golovkin felt Canelo's power and perhaps that should make him more aggressive when Canelo leans against the ropes, especially against the body. He may still be concerned about the counter-attack because Canelo is the fastest fighter, but he needs to find a way out Alvarez earlier, as Canelo has found a second wind in the last few rounds of his first fight.

Conversely, Canelo's footwork can annoy GGG and make it more imprecise when he tries to put pressure on him? He could have the advantage as a precise counter-attacker, which can compensate for the overall power gap. That said, I think Golovkin is a better strategist than he has been credited with, he will change things and go to the body more often while working from his jab, and we could even see a reversal. I do not see a knockout of the two men because GGG has an iron chin and Canelo has not been shaken since 2010, but I can very well see Golovkin being knocked out by one of those weird left hooks at the top of Canelo's head. . I hope we will have a real classic and no controversy this time around. Gennady Golovkin by unanimous decision.

Tim Burke: The consensus is that Triple G won the first fight. However, this "victory" seemed to be gaining momentum over the last year – it's almost as if Canelo was not competitive, and it was not the very close fight that Golovkin had done at seven repeated five times. Meanwhile, Golovkin is one year older (he's 36 now), and the focus on Martirosyan was a salary, not a real fight. I've been a big fan of Canelo for many years now and I think he can make a good decision this time around. He'll change his strategy a bit, fight a bit more technically and will not try to answer right away when Golovkin gets a hard blow. Canelo Alvarez, decision 116-112.

Connor Ruebusch: The reshuffles are all adjustments, but in this case, it's not easy to see what these adjustments will be. The first time, Canelo had a great start, which prevented Golovkin from increasing the pressure until the 4th or 5th inning, but forced him to take a few laps in the middle. Golovkin had the volume, Canelo had the memorable shots and neither man was particularly easy to touch. When I really think about it, Alvarez could have taken some of the last close rounds last time, if only he had stayed on his jab, constantly giving something to the aggressive GGG. Alvarez is already the sharpest thinker of both, at least in the ring, and I just have a little more confidence in his ability to adapt between fights than I do with Golovkin. Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision.

GGG Staff Pickup: Nick, Mookie
Canelo: Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor, Phil

Jaime Munguia vs. Brandon Cook

Mookie Alexander: Cook is a good fighter and a must-have opponent for Munguia, who may have a title fight, but is definitely not at the level of Jermell Charlo or Jarrett Hurd. He is 21 years old and in need of a lot of seasoning, especially in a defensive way, before he is ready for junior middleweight. As things stand, Munguia's offensive firepower is absolutely deadly, especially with his commitment to body shots. Cook was restored by Kanat Islam in his only loss, showing great resistance despite the fact that he was outclassed. I suspect that's what will happen Saturday. Jaime Munguia by KO, turn 4.

Staff pick Munguia: Mookie, Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor
Pick up of staff:

David Lemieux vs. Spike O'Sullivan

Mookie Alexander: This should be fun. I am sure the winner wants a title fight, and I will say unequivocally that neither one nor the other have a chance against Canelo, GGG (that Lemieux has seriously lost), or Daniel Jacobs-Sergey Derevyanchenko's winner, or Billy Joe Saunders-Demetrius Andrade's winner (Saunders educated Lemieux and O-Sullivan). Regarding this fight, I had chosen Lemieux without hesitation a few years ago. The problem with Lemieux is that, although he is powerful, his footwork is bad and he is subject to absolutely enigmatic performances, even in victory. He is not quite a glass cannon, but I do not think he has improved since his loss to Marco Antonio Rubio many years ago. O'Sullivan is a big volume striker who can easily put Lemieux uncomfortable and tired. That said, O'Sullivan does not hit as hard as Lemieux, and his aggression can turn against him in the form of Lemieux placing him with a left hand at the battle of Curtis Stevens. On paper, Lemieux should win, and I choose him to discourage Spike with his power … I'm not very comfortable doing it. David Lemieux by TKO, round 9.

Tim Burke: If you're only a casual boxing fan, you have to watch a David Lemieux fight. Does he still win? No, can he have nights off? Sure. But there are few guys in boxing who bring ferocity like he does. I am biased because I am Canadian and he is one of my favorite fighters, but I doubt that you will be disappointed by this fight. David Lemieux via TKO, round 7

Connor Ruebusch: What is there to say about this one? O'Sullivan is a fun and aggressive fighter who has never known the same success as Lemieux. Lemieux, for his part, watched preeeetty rough lately, although some of these things have to do with the top competition. I give O'Sullivan a decent chance here because Lemieux has sometimes struggled with the finest boxing qualities. But there are still # levels to consider, and I do not see O'Sullivan avoiding Lemieux being gone all night. David Lemieux by TKO, turn 10.

Lemieux: Mookie, Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor
O'Sullivan Staff Pickup:

Roman Gonzalez vs. Moises Fuentes

Mookie AlexanderFuentes was also a very good fighter in his first rank – not the common sense levels of Chocolatito, but a quality world champion – but he's just undersized against Gonzalez and a much more pronounced decline. If Chocolatito can not dominate Fuentes, then it's worrying. I just want to see the combination hit again and confidence in his game after Sor Rungvisai's losses. Fuentes is a couple of fights removed from losing to a glorified companion in Ulises Lara, who is 20-16-2. I understand the potential for sadness, but I do not think Chocolatito is this washed. Roman Gonzalez by TKO, turn 7.

Chocolatito Staff Pickup: Mookie, Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor
Staff pickup in Fuentes: