Detailed Analysis of the Weekend in Boxing: Crawford, Inoue, and More
The boxing world vibrated this weekend with the participation of three of the best pound-for-pound boxers. Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, and Canelo Álvarez starred in fights that captured the attention of all fans.
Crawford and Canelo faced off at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, while Inoue defended his undisputed super bantamweight titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Nagoya, Japan.
Here’s an analysis of the performances of the most outstanding boxers, with ratings for their presentations.
Saturday Results and Grades
Terence Crawford: A+Crawford’s performance was impressive. He moved up two weight classes and used all his tools to overcome Canelo. He demonstrated exceptional footwork, kept his opponent off balance with his jab, and outmaneuvered him in close quarters. Crawford looked very strong and took Canelo out of his strategy. It’s almost impossible to find weaknesses in his game.Canelo Álvarez: B-Canelo was outmatched by Crawford. Although the scorecard results suggest a more even fight, Canelo received a boxing lesson. He tried to attack Crawford’s body, but Crawford was prepared for everything. Canelo had difficulty connecting combinations and was outboxed in the exchanges. Frustration became evident in his body language. This version of Canelo would have beaten most, but he was outmatched by an elite boxer.Christian Mbilli: B-Mbilli stuck to a strategy that allowed him to get a draw in Las Vegas. He constantly pressured Lester Martinez, connecting powerful punches. However, Martinez withstood the attack and Mbilli couldn’t adjust his plan. Mbilli ran out of energy and took punishment, but managed to make it to the end.Lester Martinez: B+Martinez exceeded expectations. His stamina was key, and he made effective adjustments, such as the use of uppercuts. He demonstrated being prepared for an intense fight and seemed to gain the upper hand in the final rounds. The draw may not be the desired result, but the Guatemalan boxer proved that he belongs to the elite of the 168-pound division.
Sunday Results and Ratings
Naoya Inoue: A-Inoue dominated Akhmadaliev and retained his super bantamweight titles. He used his intelligence, avoided Akhmadaliev’s punches, and landed body shots that wore down his opponent. Although he didn’t achieve a knockout, Inoue outboxed Akhmadaliev in every aspect. His strategy was based on speed and technique, outperforming his opponent.Murodjon Akhmadaliev: D+Akhmadaliev couldn’t counter Inoue’s speed and technique. His counterattack plan didn’t work, as Inoue was on another level. The difference in skill between the two was very noticeable. Akhmadaliev couldn’t find solutions against one of the best pound-for-pound boxers.
