If not for the sad motorcycle accident, how do you think this would have played out? Alvarez was somewhat green at the time. I think he's made some nice strides in the last 3 years. Williams had certain tools that could have given Canelo problems, and vice versa. Some fighters are just blessed with good stamina, and Canelo isn't one of them. I don't doubt he trains hard, but he just doesn't have the natural stamina of a Leonard, Margarito, or a Bowe (who could eat way too many cheeseburgers and still maintain a terrific workrate). Canelo fights pretty relaxed and doesn't waste energy that way, but has to pace himself a lot and be selective with shots so he doesn't gas out. Williams had a great workrate, and this could have presented many problems for Alvarez. On the other hand, it leaves you open to counters, and to put it lightly, defense as not Williams's strength. Williams had far more experience against better fighters at this point, but seemed to be on the downside. I remember some post-fight interview which was troubling. It could have just been the rigors of just having fought 12 rounds and getting punched in the head, but that had happened earlier and he didn't sound like he did here. His words were slurring and I know I wasn't the only one concerned when I heard that. Williams seemed to have a good chin, the Martinez KO withstanding, but you take enough shots your punch resistance can fade. I questioned Canelo's power after the Shane fight (Mosley always takes a good shot, but often goes into a shell and gets more cautious, he didn't seem to get discouraged at all from Canelo's many bombs). But my overall guess is that he has decent pop, and it could surely take a toll on Williams if he landed consistently. Which was fairly likely given Williams's defense and how many counters he would have given Canelo. This could have been another good fight between an up-and-comer and someone on the downside. So anyway, how do you think it would have played out.
I think Canelo would have won at that time, but a Williams from a a few years earlier would have won a decision.
It would be a pretty interesting matchup. It doesn't take a high volume fighter to outhustle Canelo but Williams' superior work rate surely win him some rounds in this one. I don't know about the fight itself. Paul was not only too easy to hit but his style and the way he negated his height and reach plays right into Canelo's hands. I think it could be a case of the fighter landing less, but the heavier eye catching punches getting the victory.
I'm notoriously critical of the Ginger, but I think he beats ANY version of Williams. Tall Paul never met a punch he could avoid, and his style was to go to war. Canelo is the bigger/stronger man with more firepower and better technique. And even though Canelo's no defensive genius himself, he's MUCH more defensively responsible than Williams. With Williams' stamina I think he could make it competitive late, but Canelo still wins by virtue of doing far more damage throughout the fight.
