Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol would’ve both fallen short against this legend, according to a former world champion.
The pair of formidable fighters are both on the cusp of huge clashes, with even Denzel Washington excited for Canelo vs Terence Crawford, and the Russian hopefully not too far away from a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev.
Throughout their careers, the gifted practitioners of the sweet science have proven their skills beyond doubt.
However, in the eyes of one retired fighter, neither would’ve had the necessary skills to defeat this Hall of Famer.
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Photo by Alejandro Salazar/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesAndre Ward would beat Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol, says Buddy McGirt
Andre Ward would’ve had the edge over Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol, says Buddy McGirt.
In an interview with Boxing News, the fighter-turned-coach said: “A prime Andre Ward beats them all. He’s a student of the game.”
McGirt then added that while the Mexican would make for an extremely tough challenge for his countryman, Bivol wouldn’t have any chance of defeating ‘Son of God’.
The trainer added: “Canelo, I’ve got to honestly say, since the Floyd Mayweather fight, he became a different fighter. Him vs Ward would’ve been a serious chess game.
“I think Ward beats Bivol; he beats him easily. Canelo, on the other hand, is different.
“Bivol has a style that gives a lot of guys trouble — it wouldn’t give Andre Ward trouble.
“Bivol is like Oleksandr Usyk, they get you to dance to their beat. Once you do that after two or three rounds, you’re done.
“Andre Ward is smart enough to know, ‘I can’t dance to his beat, he’s got to dance to my beat’. And he has the ability to make him dance to his beat.”
Canelo Alvarez was getting out-boxed until he found a terrifying knockout punch
As far as McGirt is concerned, no one would beat Ward.
After all, the former two-weight world champion was a defensive genius.
However, Canelo is used to facing slick boxers. On one occasion, the superstar had to break down a fighter who was getting the better of him.
After a tough start, Canelo knocked an icon out cold.