Former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk knows what elite-level power feels like. After sharing the ring with Artur Beterbiev in a brutal title unification loss in 2019, Gvozdyk has seen some of boxing’s hardest hitters up close. But when asked who impressed him most in sparring, Gvozdyk didn’t hesitate: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Gvozdyk, 21-2 (17 KOs), said Alvarez surprised him with his strength, despite starting his career at lower weight classes. “I was impressed by his power,” Gvozdyk said. “When you look at him, he looks like a small guy. Yeah, he’s muscular, but as soon as the bell rings, you feel his power. He hits pretty solid.”
The Ukrainian, now based in Oxnard, California, believes Canelo’s power translates even at light heavyweight. “It’s very hard to connect a hard punch on him,” Gvozdyk said. “He slips, he moves his head. He is a very skilled fighter. I was impressed.”
While Gvozdyk respects Canelo’s punching ability, he drew comparisons with other hard hitters he’s faced, including Beterbiev and Adonis Stevenson. He said all three fighters possess different kinds of power.
“Beterbiev has this heavy power, and Canelo is more explosive,” Gvozdyk explained. “The hardest hitter I’ve ever been in the ring with was Adonis Stevenson. But the best fighter I’ve faced was Beterbiev.”
According to Gvozdyk, Beterbiev’s punches are uniformly powerful. “All of his punches are equally heavy—his jab, his hook—because that’s just his natural power,” he said. “But his punches can be a little predictable. Canelo, on the other hand, is more explosive. He throws those frisbee left hooks and right hooks. Usually, it’s one punch, but it’s very crisp and effective.”
That contrast extends to each fighter’s approach. “Canelo throws one punch, then needs to look, recharge. Beterbiev just keeps throwing. It’s not just the force, it’s the volume. Eventually, it gets harder to cope with.”
Reflecting on Stevenson, Gvozdyk described him as a sniper in the ring. “He doesn’t throw a lot. He’s waiting, and if you blink, it’s over. If he lands a power punch, you’re done. But he only throws a couple of those per round, so you just have to watch closely.”
As for Canelo’s upcoming fight against Cuban-born contender William Scull, Gvozdyk had little to say. “I don’t even know who this guy is,” he admitted. “I just saw his face on the poster. That’s all I know.”
Despite having fought the most dangerous men in the division, it’s clear Gvozdyk holds Alvarez in high regard, particularly for his surprising power and elite ring IQ. From sparring to championship nights, Gvozdyk has experienced the best—and Canelo left a lasting impression.
Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
