Fansided

The top 10 pound-for-pound boxers pre-Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev II

By Zachary Alapi

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev pose for photographs at the end of the press conference at the Roosevelt Ballroom on April 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Sergey Kovalev will challenge Andre Ward for the Unified Light Heavyweight World Championship Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev pose for photographs at the end of the press conference at the Roosevelt Ballroom on April 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Sergey Kovalev will challenge Andre Ward for the Unified Light Heavyweight World Championship Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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10. Canelo Alvarez

The strength of Canelo Alvarez’s fights against Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout, two formidable opponents that Canelo (49-1-1, 34 KOs) insisted on fighting, has never been more crucial. After a slew of mismatches against Amir Khan, Liam Smith and the utter abomination that was the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight, it’s important to remind oneself that prior to signing to face Gennady Golovkin, Canelo was indeed a fighter who sought out herculean challenges.

All is basically forgiven now that Canelo will face Golovkin on September 16 for the lineal middleweight title and Triple G’s collection of belts in the biggest fight that can be made in boxing. Moreover, the bout will serve as a needed palate cleanser after the August 26 farcical spectacle of self-deception that will be Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor. Canelo Alvarez, as long as he’s facing truly elite foes, has proven worthy of being boxing’s most bankable star.

Even in the Khan fight, which essentially had a preordained conclusion, Canelo exhibited admirable technique and tactics to deal with one of boxing’s fastest fighters and set the necessary traps to score his sickening knockout. He clearly out-fought a credible Miguel Cotto, and he dominates when he’s supposed to. But now, Alvarez’s day of reckoning is here. Weight won’t be an issue against Golovkin, nor will experience be a factor as it was when he was outclassed against Mayweather. It’s time for Canelo to make a necessary statement, which is something he can even do in defeat.

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