Mitchell returns ... as the enemy
JOHN Mitchell will return to Ellis Park for the first time on Saturday since he left the Golden Lions in somewhat controversial fashion in 2012. This time he will arrive as the enemy, as the coach of the Blue Bulls.
Plenty has changed at the Lions headquarters since Mitchell coached the team to Currie Cup glory in 2011 and helped lay the foundations for the success they achieved in subsequent years under Johan Ackermann.
The Lions between 2013 and now, under the former Springbok lock, won the Currie Cup again in 2015, played in two Super Rugby finals and have produced 14 Boks.
Ackermann has now left the union and the team, now coached by Swys de Bruin – be it at Super Rugby or Currie Cup level – looks markedly different to when Mitchell was in charge.
The former All Blacks coach left the Lions in the latter stages of the 2012 Super Rugby campaign, after a group of disgruntled players apparently requested that he resign.
Now he returns to the scene of where he first made his mark in South African rugby, but as Bulls head coach and executive of rugby.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Mitchell said yesterday of his return to Ellis Park this weekend.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy the experience, even if I’m not one to get too sentimental about these sorts of things. I’ve obviously got a lot of great memories of my time spent there and also have some great friendships.
“But that is a chapter in my life that is closed. I’m in a new chapter now and excited about it. I’m really just looking forward to what should be a great contest and us giving ourselves an opportunity to win.”
Mitchell spent three years at the Lions, between 2010 and 2012; when the union was struggling financially and battling to stay in touch with the likes of the Bulls in terms of performance.
He might have helped the team, captained by Josh Strauss, to Currie Cup glory in 2011, but the Lions still battled to make an impression in Super Rugby and were relegated (to make way for the Southern Kings) from the competition in 2013.
“The Lions have written a wonderful story ... we all know where they were when I came in. From that starting point to now is quite something. They do, however, face a new set of challenges with a new leadership team coming in,” said Mitchell, referring to the change at head coach level.
“But with the group they’ve built over the last few years, they should be able to sustain and continue their success. The Lions really are the benchmark now in the country according to which we all measure ourselves, so that’s remarkable. They’ve certainly sent a message to the other franchises and it’s now up to us to try and match them and even surpass them.”
It’s uncanny how similar the current situation at the Bulls is to the one that was at the Lions when Mitchell arrived in 2010. The Lions were at a crossroads then, as is the case with the Bulls now.
“It’s a case of trying to still put foundations in place,” said Mitchell about his first few weeks in charge of the Pretoria-based team.
“It’s important to also keep the bigger picture in mind and that is Super Rugby. What I’m doing now is going through a selection process, identifying new talent who could potentially play Super Rugby next year. I’m also trying to create some kind of team cohesion and seeing how individuals react in certain situations.”
There’s not much to choose between the Lions and Bulls at the moment, with both teams having won three times in the Currie Cup, but Mitchell’s men have played a game less (seven) than the Lions (eight).
The Bulls go into Saturday’s match following a bye, while the Lions won in Kimberley last time out, and also beat the Pumas before that.
“The Lions are playing some good rugby again,” said Mitchell. “The youngsters are gaining experience all the time and it helps them that they have some quality Super Rugby players in the group as well. It should be a good contest.”
Both Mitchell and De Bruin will name their line-ups for the match today. Daniel Matthews
THE eyes of the boxing world will again be on the lights of the Las Vegas strip on Saturday when Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin collide at the T-Mobile Arena.
The unbeaten Kazakh king will defend his WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO middleweight straps against the Mexican sensation in what is billed as the fight of the decade.
WHAT ARE THEIR FIGHTING STYLES? Golovkin has (rightly) built a reputation as one of the fiercest punchers in world boxing. But to label him as simply a puncher would be a gross understatement. Thanks to a rich amateur background, Golovkin is wellschooled in the fundamentals.
The Kazakh is a pressure fighter who walks down his opponents before, more often than not, taking them out inside the distance. Rather than simply marching forward in straight lines, he uses controlled pressure. Golovkin is a tremendous judge of distance and possesses great punch variety as well as a very good chin.
Canelo, by contrast, turned professional aged just 15 and has honed his skills in the paid ranks. Under the tutelage of father-son duo Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, he has developed into a exceptionally skilled fighter over the past decade.
The Mexican throws excellent combinations and is an effective body puncher. Against Golovkin, who is naturally the bigger man, Canelo will need to use all the ringcraft he has accrued over the years to emerge victorious.
WHAT TACTICS WILL EACH FIGHTER LOOK TO USE? For Golovkin, the question will surely be: ‘Why change a winning formula?’ After a hugely successful amateur career, Triple G has won all 37 of his professional fights, with 33 victories coming inside the distance.
The 35-year-old is far from flawless – he doesn’t use much head movement and is not that difficult to hit. But his excellent distance control and ability to cut off the ring makes him a relentless and dangerous opponent.
He will, as always, look to get within range and break Canelo down with his cocktail of knockout power and punch variety.
It is Canelo who will be outside of his comfort zone in Vegas. Though the Mexican’s last fight — against compatriot Julio Cesar Chavez Jr — was at a catchweight of 164.5lbs, he has spent most of his career as a big super welterweight. This fight will take place at 160lbs.
With a height and weight disadvantage, the Mexican will look to use his youth, speed and skills to move in and out of range, counter-punch, and take Golovkin into the later rounds.
WHO IS THE FAVOURITE? The billing says 50-50 but among the bookmakers Golovkin is the very slight favourite.
The 35-year-old is unbeaten in his 37 career fights and can be backed to win at around 4/6 and 8/13 with many bookies. Alvarez, meanwhile, is the betting underdog in the UK, with prices ranging from 5/4 to 13/10 for the Mexican sensation.
Unsurprisingly, given only one opponent has ever taken him 12 rounds, Golovkin is a shorter price to win by stoppage (around 13/8) than on points (around 7/2).
Canelo, by contrast, is as wide as 9/1 to win inside the distance. In light of Golovkin’s size advantage and solid chin, backing Canelo to win over 12 at around 15/8 would appear the safer bet.
WHO HAS THE BETTER KNOCKOUT RECORD? For all the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Saturday’s showdown, one thing is for sure: Both Canelo and Golovkin possess serious knockout power.
Between them they have racked up 86 victories in 88 fights, a record that includes 67 wins by stoppage. Only four of Golovkin’s 37 fights have gone the distance, and only one since 2008. The 35-year-old recorded 23 consecutive stoppage wins before Daniel Jacobs survived 12 rounds in March.
Alvarez, too, carries impressive punching power. The Mexican has won 49 of his 51 fights, including 34 stoppage victories. Three of his last five wins have included comprehensive stoppages. But against more durable opponents in Chavez and Miguel Cotto, Canelo has relied on the scorecards.
WHAT IS THEIR BEST PUNCH? Given Golovkin’s excellent punch variety and boxing brain, it seems unfair to single out one shot as his best. The Kazakh has knockout power in both hands and can hurt people from all angles. Arguably his most important punch is his jab, which Golovkin uses to control the distance and set up attacks. Like the rest of his shots, it’s abnormally powerful as previous opponents have attested to. And after their clash in March, Jacobs singled out Golovkin’s jab – rather than power or pressure as his key weapon.
Canelo, too, does not have one single knockout punch. His last two stoppage wins came courtesy of an overhand right and a left hook to the body, while his emphatic knockout of James Kirkland in 2015 came at the end of a sustained and varied barrage.
WHAT ADVANTAGES WILL EACH MAN CARRY INTO THE FIGHT? Though Canelo has had more professional bouts than his Kazakh opponent, he comes into his clash with youth on his side. At 27, Alvarez has spent the last few years at 154lbs and should have the advantage in speed.
His only career defeat came against the elusive Floyd Mayweather, while Amir Khan’s speed gave him problems. But Golovkin possesses neither the defensive nous of Mayweather or Khan’s quickness.
Canelo won’t have to worry about having a target to hit. Golovkin’s come-forward style will give him the chance to unload impressive combinations. It’s what’s coming the other way that should be of concern.
Canelo is more polished defensively and an effective counter-puncher. But as the more established middleweight, GGG should be bigger and more powerful, while his superior jab should help him control the distance. The Kazakh must avoid making a slow start and allowing his opponent to build an early advantage on the scorecards, however, particularly given Canelo should enjoy home-like support from the crowd and, dare we say it, the judges. – Daily Mail