Comments Thread For: Alvarado's Trainer: Too Defensive, Didn't Punch Enough

[richardt]

The problem with that theory is if Alvarado had punched more, he would have been open to more headshots and especially bodyshots, as if he needed any more of those. His defence protected him from being hit more because nothing was going to discourage Prov. Sometimes it simply comes down to who is the better fighter. Radical concept. Could, woulda, shoulda.

[boxingfocus]

When he stood and traded with Rios, he came up short. He then boxed and moved better than ever before to beat Rios in the rematch.

When he boxed and moved with Provodnikov, he got hunted down. I don't see him being successful reverting to trading with Prov, who is just a monster and will love that kind of fight. Every time he got close to Mike, he hurt him.

The only thing Alvarado could do better was to be more active by using offense as defense, but I don't think he is the kind of fighter that can sustain a 1000+ punch output. I didn't think he would show the kind of movement required to beat Rios though, so he could prove me wrong again, but I don't see how any adjustment to his tactics works for him here. At least there was a clear adjustment he could make vs Rios.

[Humean]

If Alvarado had used his legs less he'd have been stopped sooner. He landed some solid shots on Provodnikov but he didn't seem to feel them much, it would be a mistake for all but maybe one or two to brawl with Provodnikov.

[King_]

Interesting. Most people have been saying Mike didn't box enough, his trainer is saying he boxed too much and should have outslugged him

[TheMexHurricane]

He's right. When Alvarado was *JABBING* and *STICKING AND MOVING* Ruslan wasn't so eager to get inside and his punch output dropped. The key word in the what the trainer said was "jab". Alvarado should've learned better in the 1st Rios fight and if he's not going to fight smart he should retire. Giving your best in a fight is not only giving your all with your body and heart-- you have to try your best mentally and emotionally as well.

[Levity]

If Alvarado had used his legs less he'd have been stopped sooner. He landed some solid shots on Provodnikov but he didn't seem to feel them much, it would be a mistake for all but maybe one or two to brawl with Provodnikov.

I agree.

Boxing didn't work out for him, but if he just tried to outfight Ruslan he would've been stopped in 6-7 rather than 10. Alvardo had his best moments when he boxed, not when he stood in place and brawled. His trainer may just be trying to rationalize the loss.

[ottocon860]

I don't think Mike could do much more. He was the bigger guy and was getting hurt badly throughout the fight. If he slugged it out would end sooner than it did I think. Ruslan just pressured him and wouldn't stop for anything. Ruslan is superior to Rios in my opinion just a tough guy for anyone.

[MDPopescu]

I am not too sure about that honestly, he might be right.

However, I feel Ruslan is something special. Yeah, yeah I
could be wrong but thats what my gut tells me.

Before the fight I thought Mike would win based on size. Look this guy
is more than just a brawler or boxer puncher. What makes this guy
special in my eyes is that he can counter your ass in a heart beat
while moving forward and putting this nonstop pressure on you.

Why do you think Mike did not let his hands go? He got countered
magnificently everytime he threw too much. This guy is not
only pressuring your ass all fight night which is enough to break
many a man down, no disrespect to Mike, but he is also slipping
and weaving making you miss and countering your left hook
with his own left hook right after, countering the jab with his overhand
right and to top it all off this son of a b*tch has power???

It is not that Alvardo didn't punch enough, its that Ruslan
made it to where he did not want to punch.

Ruslan is not just a brawler. He is a technician disguised as a brawler.

Let the hate begin.

I agree. I said this already... Ruslan was coolheaded and hunted Mike with a great variety of punches... Ruslan is no robot beast at all... He hits hard but he knows very well what he's doing each moment.

[MASTER1454]

Ruslan is one of them dudes that you have not just beat, but fcuk up. Mike couldn't do that, plus we know his threshold for lumps is not that high. When you step up in competition, you find that out quickly. And I like Mike, but Ruslan wasn't making the same mistake he did with Bradley.Ruslan handled his business & gets props for it...

[Southpawology]

I know i'll probably get flamed for this and I know anyone who fights to make a living is fearless, but does anyone else get a sense that ruslan intimidated mike a little bit? Taking a month to sign the contract, not looking into ruslans eyes at the weigh ins, being very defensive/timid in the fight etc. It seems like mentally he was already beat before the first bell even rang.