Feature: Dennis Moore,boxing writer/analyst
“There is the tide in the Affairs of men,which when taken at the floods, leads unto fortune”-
Unfortunately that maxim has little impact on the sorrowful Sanders who found himself in a predictable position he could have avoided.
Mexican idol and ring favourite Canelo “Saul” Alvarez continued his exploits in the supermiddleweight division with an indelible punishment on his British rubble rouser- Billy Joe Sanders at the AT&T Stadium,Texas.
I have watched the fight six times infact including the build up, fight night and the post presser and intends to analyze the future of that Mexican beast who has indisputably instilled the spirit of fear in every opponent of his.
PRE-FIGHT BANTER
Billy Joe Sanders (31-2-14) had a watery mouth on many tangents ahead of the fight and it would be recalled how he even bloated that he never quits in any fight but rather die! Against Canelo he was forced to swallow his bluff. Honestly,many boxing afficionados believe it was a defensive mechanism to lower the fear factor flowing in his veins. Truth.
The same Billy trolled his fellow British heavyweight colleague- Daniel Dubois when the latter took a knee and quit against Joe Joyce in their local clash.
Sanders took to the gym to release that pumped stress few days to the fight ostensibly to create the perceived impression he was more than ready for the fight.
He had won in 9 straight fights including – Yoaan Blouse, Andy Lee, Artur Akavov, Willie Monroe jnr., David Limeux, Ghanas Charles Adamu, Shefat Isufi, Marcelo Coceres, Martin Murray. Impressive!
Billy joke Sanders unfortunately elevated the trick bar by ranting about the Ring Size. Oops.
Honestly, I have come to admit that ring size really matter in such high profile business. But wait…did he complain same to those previous boxers listed above? What was so special about this particular fight that he swore never to honour the fight Should there be a minimum ring size of 18feet? I mean how?
Oh I see! Sanders actually had wanted a more bigger ring space so he could frustrate the Mexican with flat runs.
But I think I fell in love with Mexican’s sombre approach ” I don’t care,I can even give him the whole field of Texas”.
Cowards they say die many times before their death. And this was a better pictorial representation of that.
Charlie- to face Canelo in a ring enclosure of 18/20ft is a death Mission.
A boxing ring always has the same size construction of many professional boxing organizations. A standard ring is between 16-24 feet (4.9 and 7.3) to a side between the ropes with another 2 feet outside.
THE FIGHT:
I made sure I kept vigil for this one because I wanted to make a case in my analysis.
The digitized screen of a shave record attendance of 70,000 spectators zoomed in with loud uproar and boos for the British champion as he entered the ring.
Sanders gets booed. Canelo gets cheered.
The first round for me was very tactical with sanders backing off so early. Canelo landed more to the body backing sanders to the ropes on two occasions. A clear round for Canelo.
Canelo to me won the second round with intense eye contact and subsequent body shots. Sanders kept his flying punches which had no effect. Absolutely not.
Round three established the dominance of the Mexican as he landed some mid section upper cuts. I was astonished Sanders rather laughed at the right hook from Canelo in such a high profile business. Canelo again dominated this round for sure.
The fourth round was difficult for me as I saw sanders to be a little busier with a beautiful combo. Canelo looked less startled.
I feel sanders won this round with a confident looping left hand. The little ring space he requested for aiding him a bit. A bit.
Why would sanders stick his tongue out? Well,the swing and miss from Canelo might have given him extra confidence.
The seventh round was interesting as Canelo cut the ring to size, forcing the Brit to move to the ropes. But it was astonishing to see that saunders was very keen in completing this fight.
The eight round was a big big round for the Mexican. And by this time the left eye of the Brit had bubbled up. Canelo, cast in the mood like a matador, signalled to the crowd to cheer. The crowd responded in the affirmative. Fate had dawned on Sanders.
He declined to respond to the eight round. Very necessary. His left eye virtually non- existent. Canelo stole a glance at the treatment and jumped into the ropes. A new unified champion is born.
THE FUTURE:
The future ring duties of Billy Joe Sanders faces an extended spell on the the sidelines as he was rushed to the St. John Peter Smith hospital for the multiple fractures to his orbital bone – commonly referred to as a quadripod fracture. Brutal injury. Latest iñformation reveal he may retire. Damn!
UK fighters haven’t gotten much success since last November with the likes of Daniel Dubois, Callum Smith, Luke Campbell,Josh Warrington, Carl Frampton,Liam Williams and the latest victim BJS, all succumbing in thier various divisions.
WAY FORWARD:
Boxing 🥊 pundits believe no one can match up with Canelo Alvarez at the moment. Absolutely nobody. The IBF strap is the only one left. ” unification is the plan”. Canelo says.
And so the next step to stardom will be to locate the IBF metal decor in the hands of Caleb Plant. That is it.
Quite interestingly, it is difficult to understand why everybody wants to have a paycheck time with Canelo. Did you realize what happened at the post fight presser? How the effrontery will Demetrius Andrade enter the auditorium just to infuriate Canelo? This chap has fought nobody . Honestly.
Connossieurs of the game are of the view that Canelo is ducking fighters like Charlo and Benivitez. I think in boxing you strategize and make your money. That’s it. He has no intentions of moving from the 168Ibs.
Canelo Saul Alvarez is the big thing in boxing now. Hate him or like him. And those spitting ill about his past on clenbutetol etc have no basis. He’s gone past that.
The magic is his level of intrepidity and sheer display of footwork,stamina and power. My take.
But who do you think can muster that courage to end the fearless ring dictates of the Mexican?