As a part of
ESPN's Sports Science TV series, Mayweather's fight over Canelo serves as a perfect example of how the science behind defense, reflexes & speed (Mayweather) vs. size, strength & accuracy (Canelo) in boxing can affect the outcome of a match. With the help of lead engineer,
Cynthia Bir, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, ESPN was able to document a
sports science analysis of the fight between Mayweather and Alvarez.
According to ESPN's Sports Science, Canelo Alvarez had put on an average of over 13 extra pounds (13.1 exact) during his last seven fights leading up to the 24-hours between weigh-in and the Mayweather matchup. The fight between Mayweather and Alvarez had been contested at a catchweight of 152 lbs. But due his weight gain, Canelo (162 lbs.) entered the ring about 10 lbs. heavier than Mayweather (152 lbs.). Before the match took place, this was thought to be the toughest fight of Mayweather's career. Some were skeptical if he could make it to 45-0 and here's why.
Alvarez possesses more mass than Mayweather, which means that he's able to transport more energy in his punches through each level of his kinetic chain. In other words, his punches can deliver an estimated half-ton of punch force (1,000 lbf.) This is enough force to break through nearly two inches of solid concrete!!!
If Alvarez managed to hit Floyd with his signature "liver" punch, it could have been powerful enough to stimulate the vagus nerve. As a result, the heart could temporarily slow and cause blood pressure to diminish. "In finishing nearly 70% of his fights via knockout, Alvarez has proven that if his opponents hands drop to protect the liver, he can win it with a single punch," according to ESPN's Sports Science.
Alvarez may pack a forceful punch, but what good is all that power if you can't even hit the guy? That happens to be the bug-a-boo of all of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s opponents. When I described Mayweather's skillset as "magician-like" earlier, it was all predicated to his uncanny defensive abilities, which has frustrated plenty of his opponents in the ring.
It takes a human being 20 seconds to react to visual stimuli according to ESPN's Sports Science. But in the case of Mayweather, he's able to predict sequences of pattern behavior from his opponents. This ability enables him react to an opponent's strike in as little as nine-hundredths of a second (0.09 seconds). Of course, that's more than twice as fast his average (average human being: 20 seconds, Mayweather: .09 seconds). Few have been able to rough up Mayweather in the ring, but even when an opponent is lucky enough to land a huge hit on him, Mayweather's ability to "roll with the punches" lessens the acceleration to his head. This reduces impact forces by up to 50%!
There have been times when opponents try to land consistent punches on Mayweather, but he throws counter punches at speeds close to 30 mph. According to ESPN Sports Science, Mayweather lands "precise blows more than five times faster than a rattle snake strike (Rattle Snake: 6 mph, Mayweather: 30 mph)."
Although Floyd Mayweather Jr. leads all active boxers in defending power punches (allows just 21% power punches to connect), Canelo Alvarez figured to be his toughest opponent yet, due to his ability to land 52% of his power punches. It's not a coincidence that Canelo is the most accurate power puncher in all of boxing.