Watching GGG-Murata, I don't see how that was a bad performance from GGG

[Boxing-1013]

, or how it translates that negatively for a Canelo-GGG 3rd fight.

Murata pushed a fast pace vs GGG, one that Canelo likely won't push, or won't want to fight at. Derevy took notes from Canelo in fight 2, and tried to push GGG back, and did so with great workrate. Murata tried to do the same. But he wasn't able to do as much damage to GGG, and he wasn't able to take GGG's shots as well as Derevy.

Canelo wasn't able to push the pace that Derevy set, and for me that is why Derevy did better vs GGG than Canelo in either fight. Pushing pace vs a volume puncher who lands hard and clean with most of his shots like GGG, who has a great workrate and stamina himself, is extremely dangerous. Canelo knows that and will likely not fight that way.

GGG still probably outlanded Murata in every round, and besides rounds 2 and 3, which were close, I didn't see Murata having a real claim to any other round.

[Boxing-1013]

GGG will likely be vulnerable in the first 4 rounds vs Canelo in a 3rd fight; Canelo's youth and freshness will be tough for an older GGG to deal with, especially at 168. But unless Canelo really can hurt/slow GGG down early, the later rounds will still likely swing in GGG's favor.

The workrate and stamina he has at 40 is still much better than Canelo's, and he still lands very clean and hard as well. His punch resistance is likely diminishing some, and he will likely be taking more shots as he finishes his career, but if he can withstand some early shots from Canelo, I still think he has a great shot to win the 3rd fight on a normal person's scorecard.

[KTFOKING]

I thought it was impressive on how GGG responded to the first five tough rounds. He was in a real fight but was able to turn the tide and put it on Murata. To me, it was a plus performance. Obviously Murata is not very good but he still fought GGG even in the early going and he was landing some big shots but GGG was never deterred. He stayed calm and showed good poise before putting a beat down on Murata.

[Boxing-1013]

I thought it was impressive on how GGG responded to the first five tough rounds. He was in a real fight but was able to turn the tide and put it on Murata. To me, it was a plus performance. Obviously Murata is not very good but he still fought GGG even in the early going and he was landing some big shots but GGG was never deterred. He stayed calm and showed good poise before putting a beat down on Murata.

I hear ya.

I just don't see how this fight was even too dissimilar to some other notable GGG fights. He is there to be hit and take some shots; the problem imo with pushing pace against him is 1) he likes a fast pace and 2) he takes shots well, and still lands really hard and clean even at his old age.

Brook was competitive with him for 4 or so rounds, then broke down. Ouma was competitive with him for 10 rounds before he broke down. Derevy was competitive with him all night with a fast pace. But I don't think most guys can fight at that pace, and most guys won't be able to/won't want to take that many big shots. Worked out OK for Sergei, but not so for Brook and Ouma.

GGG had some moments vs Sergei where he really took a beating imo. Especially round 10 I think? Vs Murata I never got a feeling he wasn't in control. I will say Murata's ability to push GGG back in the first rounds was impressive. But he still ate a ton of big shots.

Hard to say Murata's level imo. I'd love to see him in vs Charlo or even Andrade to see how he fights vs those guys. He has a lot of heart and toughness, and a long reach. I don't think he is an easy fight for anyone but he isn't the most dynamic fighter I've ever seen.

[KTFOKING]

I hear ya.

I just don't see how this fight was even too dissimilar to some other notable GGG fights. He is there to be hit and take some shots; the problem imo with pushing pace against him is 1) he likes a fast pace and 2) he takes shots well, and still lands really hard and clean even at his old age.

Brook was competitive with him for 4 or so rounds, then broke down. Ouma was competitive with him for 10 rounds before he broke down. Derevy was competitive with him all night with a fast pace. But I don't think most guys can fight at that pace, and most guys won't be able to/won't want to take that many big shots. Worked out OK for Sergei, but not so for Brook and Ouma.

GGG had some moments vs Sergei where he really took a beating imo. Especially round 10 I think? Vs Murata I never got a feeling he wasn't in control. I will say Murata's ability to push GGG back in the first rounds was impressive. But he still ate a ton of big shots.

Hard to say Murata's level imo. I'd love to see him in vs Charlo or even Andrade to see how he fights vs those guys. He has a lot of heart and toughness, and a long reach. I don't think he is an easy fight for anyone but he isn't the most dynamic fighter I've ever seen.

Murata getting dominated by Brant in the first place kind of showed his level despite him stopping Brant early in the rematch. He's an okay fighter but to me it was not about how good Murata was but how GGG's gas tank would be at the age of 40 and if his punch resistance was still good. No doubt body shots can hurt GGG but that was true even a few years ago but his chin is still top notch, has a stellar job and can still punch with volume. Again, to me it was a plus performance.

[Boxing-1013]

Murata getting dominated by Brant in the first place kind of showed his level despite him stopping Brant early in the rematch. He's an okay fighter but to me it was not about how good Murata was but how GGG's gas tank would be at the age of 40 and if his punch resistance was still good. No doubt body shots can hurt GGG but that was true even a few years ago but his chin is still top notch, has a stellar job and can still punch with volume. Again, to me it was a plus performance.

Yeah I think Murata seems limited but smart. If he has a good gameplan he can be effective but if not he can be a fish out of water.

[paulf]

1) He looked slow, took him too long to reset
2) Didnt look as comfortable in the pocket as he used to
3) Punches were slower, less accurate

People are assessing his performance based on what they think he'll be able to do against Canelo.

It appears he'll be able to do **** all against Canelo.

[Mammoth]

I liked the right hook over the top of Murata's left hook that ended the fight.

[Mammoth]

If I'm remembering it right anyway. It was a good shot.

[Boxing-1013]

1) He looked slow, took him too long to reset
2) Didnt look as comfortable in the pocket as he used to
3) Punches were slower, less accurate

People are assessing his performance based on what they think he'll be able to do against Canelo.

It appears he'll be able to do **** all against Canelo.

I think he landed very cleanly throughout, and the stats speak for themselves. He landed more punches vs Murata than Canelo threw vs BJS.

Murata fought bravely the first few rounds, he threw everything he could at GGG in an effort to score some damage and dictate the fight. After a few rounds Murata was basically a punching bag and he didn't really do any real damage to GGG.

Canelo probably can't fight that way (walking GGG down and throwing 80+ punches per round early), and he almost certainly won't fight that way (with that pace).

GGG will likely force Canelo to fight at a pace he doesn't want to fight at; not sure how people aren't understanding that. Yes he is 40, and yes I think the first 4 rounds or so are potentially dangerous for GGG, but after that, if he comes out unscathed, Canelo is going to be hating the last 2/3rds of the fight more than GGG imo.

GGG throws 75 punches per round, Canelo averaged 33 per round vs Plant. Plant only averaged about 40 per rounds vs Canelo. Just totally different types of fights.