CANELO VS. THE GREATS
the time Hagler finally got his shot (vs. Antuofermo in 1979), he had 50 pro bouts under his belt. That wait and a controversial 15-round split draw against Antuofermo only added to Hagler’s steely resolve. When he traveled to England to challenge Alan Minter for the title in 1980, he chopped “Boom Boom” up in three rounds and reigned over the 160-pound division with an iron fist for the next seven years, defending the title 12 times – including Antuofermo (RTD 4) in a rematch, Roberto Duran (UD 15), Thomas Hearns (TKO 3) and John Mugabi (TKO 11) – before dropping a controversial 12-round split decision to Sugar Ray Leonard. Hagler was a well-schooled, supremely conditioned athlete gifted with inhuman durability
it to Canelo in the end.” Rotonda: “An obvious dream fight for the die-hards of the sport. The elusiveness of Sugar Ray and the power of Canelo make this fight so interesting. Two fighters that have stayed so active throughout their careers and have consistently fought the best in the world in multiple divisions. I think stylistically this fight is just too much for Canelo. Robinson is incredibly fast and so light on his feet; he should really cruise to a decision win here. It should be noted, though, that Canelo is the stronger fighter, and if he does land something clean, then this fight is over. But I’m going with a decision win for Sugar Ray Robinson.”
the slow-starting champion with eye-catching flurries. Leonard won a polarizing 12-round split decision but never defended the title. He stopped light heavyweight beltholder Donny Lalonde at a super middleweight catchweight in ’88, winning the WBC’s inaugural 168-pound strap, which he defended against arch rivals Thomas Hearns (split draw 12) and Roberto Duran (UD 12) in ’89 (although he weighed in at 160 pound for both bouts). At his best, Leonard was a brilliant boxer- puncher with underrated fierceness and resilience. Bottjer: “At middleweight, Ray was in his 30s, past his prime. He has wonderful moments against Canelo but loses a decision.” Mizzone: “Styles make fights. In this one, I think that Leonard’s boxing ability would get the best of Canelo. I think that Leonard would box circles around Canelo. Leonard by 12-round unanimous decision.” Rotonda: “Two contrasting styles between two of the greats. Canelo would have a massive power advantage in this one, while Leonard would have a just-as-significant speed advantage. Both fighters have such high-level ring IQ, it really comes down to who can implement their game plan best. I just can’t help but think that the hand and foot speed of Sugar Ray will be too much for Canelo. Obviously Leonard will have to fight a perfect fight for 12 rounds – one shot from Canelo could end it instantly. But I think he will just be too difficult to catch, and Leonard will cruise to a decision win in this one.”
would be able to handle Canelo’s come-forward style, but in the end, I am going to call a draw in this one.” Rotonda: “I’m not sure how exciting this fight would be, but it is most definitely intriguing, to say the least. Tons of questions going into this fight. Can Hopkins get in the head of Canelo? Can Canelo get through the Philly shell and hurt Bernard? I can see this fight being controversial, regardless of who the winner is and how you score it. I am going to say that Hopkins lands more punches throughout the night, but Canelo’s power shots earn him a controversial and super-close decision win in this one.”
CANELO vs. SUGAR RAY ROBINSON (at middleweight) Arguably the greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound, Robinson’s prime was at welterweight during the 1940s, but his everlasting legend was forged at middleweight – where he won the world title five times between 1951-1958. Robinson was a physical specimen – tall (5-foot-11) and lithe with the agility and grace of a ballerina, but also dynamic athleticism. He was blessed with speed, one-punch KO power in both hands, and one of the greatest chins of all time (he was only stopped once in 200 pro bouts, and that was due to heat exhaustion in a light heavyweight title bout that he was winning). Adding to those physical gifts was a brilliant boxing mind and a versatility that allowed him to stick-and-move or seek-and-destroy with equal effectiveness. He battled Hall of Fame-enshrined middleweight champions Randy Turpin (L 15, TKO 10), Carlo “Bobo” Olson (KO 12, UD 15, KO 2, KO 4), Rocky Graziano (KO 3), Gene Fullmer (L UD 15, KO 5, split draw 15, L UD 15), and Carmen Basilio (L SD 15, SD 15) when he was past his prime. Bottjer: “Ray Robinson was a great middleweight – just not the greatest. Canelo wins a very compelling, competitive fight that is in doubt until the end. Robinson is more brilliant, but Canelo is not far behind with his own magic and is slightly more consistent.” Mizzone: “In this day and age, I don’t think I would have anyone beating Sugar Ray. He fought anyone, anywhere and was on the short end in a lot of fights. I think he would easily beat Canelo, but the judges would give
CANELO vs. BERNARD HOPKINS (at middleweight)
An ex-con with a late start to boxing, Hopkins was written off after dropping a decision to Roy Jones Jr. in 1993 (early in both future Hall of Famers’ pro careers) but the hard-nosed Philadelphian was steadfast in his quest for middleweight supremacy, winning the IBF belt in 1995 and defending it 12 times before unifying the WBA and WBC titles in 2001 to become the first undisputed middleweight champ since Marvin Hagler. Hopkins, known for his rough- and-tumble technique and tenacity, upset feared and then-undefeated Puerto Rican superstar Felix Trinidad (TKO 12) to achieve that goal. During his 10-year reign, he defeated several notable opponents, including John David Jackson (TKO 7), Glen Johnson (TKO 11), Antwun Echols (UD 12, TKO 10), Keith Holmes (UD 12), William Joppy (UD 12) and Oscar De La Hoya (KO 9). Bottjer: “The image of Bernard as a wily boxer who drags you into the muck and takes away your game is a false one here. The 160-pound prime Bernard is an ass-kicker who looks to get you out of there. He doesn’t get Canelo out but, like Hagler, is the busier fighter and wins a close decision.” Mizzone: “Hopkins would make it very hard for Canelo to hit him. He
Canelo 2-1
1-1-1
(never stopped in 67 pro bouts). He is regarded as one of the best middleweights of all time
CANELO vs. ROY JONES JR. (at super middleweight)
Bottjer: “At 160, Canelo is an all- time great, a top-10 guy. So is Hagler. Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout are not Hagler, but they are quality southpaws who were a threat to anyone. Canelo showed in his fights with them that he could box with southpaws. In even matchups with great chins on both guys, it comes down to who is busier. Punch stats point to Hagler. He wins a close decision.” Mizzone: “Hagler, in my opinion, would just be too much for Canelo. I see Hagler giving Canelo problems with his southpaw style. Hagler by TKO.” Rotonda: “So tough to call this one. Two guys with granite chins and incredible power in both hands. I would give Hagler the edge in work rate and volume but then edge Canelo in counterpunching and defense. I have to assume that this fight will go the distance, considering that neither guy has ever been stopped, and edge it to Hagler – just barely. I think his high work rate would get him by in a super- close decision win.”
Jones does not have the best resume at super middleweight but many consider the sublimely talented boxer-athlete to be the best 168-pounder in the history of the relatively new weight class. The Pensacola, Florida, native was a dynamo at middleweight, where he briefly held a world title, but he was untouchable at super middleweight, where he undressed then-unbeaten (44-0-2) James Toney over 12 rounds for the IBF belt in 1994. He only reigned for two years but he dominated his competition, which included future super middleweight titleholder Eric Lucas (TKO 11), whom he defeated the same day he participated in a semi-pro basketball game. Jones also stopped Thulani “Sugar Boy” Malinga, another future 168-pound beltholder, in a non-title bout during his middleweight reign. Bottjer: “I don’t think anyone touches Jones at 168. Roy by decision.” Mizzone: “I think in this fight
CANELO vs. SUGAR RAY LEONARD (at middleweight) Like his idol Sugar Ray Robinson, Leonard’s awesome peak was as a welterweight champ from 1979- 1982, but he cemented his status as an all-time great at the tail end of the ’80s. Despite undeniable talent and accomplishments, Leonard was the underdog when he challenged undisputed middleweight king Marvin Hagler in 1987. Leonard, now 30, had only fought once since retiring as 147-pound champ in ’82 – a ninth-round TKO of Kevin Howard in ’84 – and had never fought at 160 pounds. However, he lived up to the “Sugar Ray” moniker with a perfect blend of skill, guts and pizzazz, sticking and moving when he had to, standing his ground when he needed to, and stealing rounds from
Leonard 2-1
The Ring Magazine chose Canelo as the Fighter of the Year in both 2019 and 2021.
Hagler 3-0
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