GRADES: CANELO ALVAREZ, JERMELL CHARLO, MARIO BARRIOS, JAI OPETAIA & MORE

By: Jay Calderon

Very busy weekend of boxing, with some world title clashes, a couple upsets, and more.

Most meaningful on the world stage, Super Middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez easily defended his crown against (now) former undisputed Jr. Middleweight champion Jermell Charlo. On the under card, we also saw Mario Barrios upset former titlist Yordenis Ugas in Welterweight action.

On the other side of the world, we saw Jai Opetaia blast out Jordan Thompson in a defense of his Cruiserweight crown, Lightweight Caroline Dubois stay perfect as a pro, and Otto Wallin upset Murat Gassiev in Heavyweight action.

So, without much more ado, let's hand out these Grades:

CANELO ALVAREZ
GRADE: A-
RESULT: DEF. JERMELL CHARLO, 12UD (SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT)
Many would fault Canelo Alvarez for jot finishing a guy that moved up two divisions in Jermell Charlo. That said, you couldn't fault the Mexican for much else on the night.

Alvarez was sharp, punishing at times, and showed m better movement and anticipation than he has in recent fights. Still, he need to see him doing that against someone his own size.

JERMELL CHARLO
GRADE: C-
RESULT: LOSS TO CANELO ALVAREZ, 12UD (SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT)
Its hard to knock Jermell Charlo too much, considering how stacked the deck was against the American. Still, he really struggled to get much of anything going against Canelo Alvarez.

Charlo seemed slow (perhaps the extra weight was the cause), wasn't able to sustain attacks (likely fearful of the power) and just never maintained success. Charlo is far more suited at 154-160 pounds.

MARIO BARRIOS
GRADE: A
RESULT: DEF. YORDENIS UGAS, 12UD (WELTERWEIGHT)
Mario Barrios' solid win over Yordenis Ugas is impressive for a number of reasons. Firstly, let's not forget Barrios was a 3-1 underdog heading into the contest.

However, Barrios also proved he can jab and be disciplined, even against a skilled fighter in Ugas. What's more, Barrios proved he's capable at 147 pounds and some potentially interesting contests can be made at the weight.

YORDENIS UGAS
GRADE: D
RESULT: DEF. JORDAN THOMPSON, 12UD (WELTERWEIGHT)
Things have taken quite a turn for Yordenis Ugas. Once given so much praise for fighting Shawn Porter close and defeating an aged Manny Pacquiao, the Cuban has had a rough go of it in his most recent bouts.

After being stopped by Errol Spence in a unification bout, Ugas returns and loses to an underdog in Mario Barrios, really unable to get going in his second loss in a row. Sadly, Ugas might be a bit long in the tooth for a rebuild.

JAI OPETAIA
GRADE: A+
RESULT: DEF. JORDAN THOMPSON, 4KO (CRUISERWEIGHT)
It's pretty obvious: Jai Opetaia is the best 200 pounder in the world. He just needs to find the opportunities to prove it against the other champions.

Against anyone else at the lower levels -- such as Jordan Thompson -- Opetaia is going to shine beyond belief. Opetaia needs the other big boys.

CAROLINE DUBOIS
GRADE: B+
RESULT: DEF. MAGALI RODRIGUEZ, 10UD (LIGHTWEIGHT)
Caroline Dubois agaib proved a couple of things, this time in her decision win over Magali
Rodriguez. For starters, she can keep bringing the fight to a tough opponent, so long as they can take the power.

Whats more, she re-cemented the fact that she does in fact have legit power. Unlike many of her fellow female fighters, Dubois can definitely bang, and she will only grow into throwing even harder shots.

OTTO WALLIN
GRADE: B+
RESULT: DEF. MURAT GASSIEV, 12SD (HEAVYWEIGHT)
It wasn't always pretty, but Otto Wallin doesn't care. Pulling off the upset against the power-punching Murat Gassiev was more than enough.

Wallin used a punch-perfect jab and solid movement to mostly befuddle Gassiev enroute to a close decision. Ugly win or not, effective is the word Wallin cares about most in this one.
 

MURAT GASSIEV
GRADE: C-
RESULT: LOSS TO OTTO WALLIN, 12SD (HEAVYWEIGHT)
Murat Gassiev didn't look terrible against Otto Wallin, but he showed why he seems to get it just wrong enough to fall short against the best fighters.

Gassiev is just a bit too slow, not explosive enough, and too slow-footed when anyone with some angles and movement is in front of that. Wallin had just enough of that to pick up the close win.

LINKS:

- SCHEDULE & ODDS

- RESULTS

-