Anyone feel differently about this one now? Mind you. Froch was not as skilled a technician as Bivol.
In all honesty I think this would be a 50/50 fight. Canelo is obviously the better technician but Froch does have the range, heart, aggression and power to trouble Canelo. Froch is definitely not gonna wilt like Canelo's last opponents prior to Bivol.
I probably underestimated the farmer here. I think his range and workrate would be Hell for the spurt fighting Ginger. So yeah, I agree, 50/50 matchup. Canelo no longer belongs in talks asking how he'd do against Roy, Ward, Toney, and Calzaghe. Those four would kick his ass all over the ring.
I've said for a long, long time that Canelo has benefitted from historically awful 160 - 168 divisions. They are both as bad as they have been in my lifetime. Beating the likes of Blow Job Saunders and Smiffy is a very, very different prospect to fighting someone like Froch. Canelo has never beaten a single 160-168lber anywhere near the level of Froch, and the guys Froch was fighting in his era. I include an old, shopworn GGG in that (and noting that he lost, clearly, at least one of the two fights he had with him). It's why I've consistently said that Canelo has become very overrated. I hope that has become a little more clear, now. Froch would have beaten Canelo hollow. No spurt fighting, former 147lb-er is beating Froch. MTF
I've said this so many times, but the key to beating Froch is speed. If you can significantly out-speed him, you can make him look foolish. Ward, Dirrell, Taylor (first five rounds or so) and even Groves to an extent - that's the blueprint. If you can't outspeed him and you end up fighting his fight, his record shows that he wins. Canelo isn't that type of guy. MTF
Canelo is ineffective when he’s forced on his back foot. He’s a methodical guy who strongly relies on being able to back the other guy up and work mid range. He has no jab, and he’s not a very mobile guy. Hand speed is good, but not Roy or even Calzaghe level. I think Froch outworks him and wins a decision. I think it’s very competitive with some really good exchanges but down the stretch, Froch’s superior stamina and strength are going to have Canelo on the defensive and he won’t be able to get much done. Froch via clear decision (If the judges aren’t on the take).
I wouldn't say Robinson fights in spurts. But yeah, the Robinson who fought Maxim would batter Froch.