Background on Canelo Álvarez
Canelo Álvarez, a Mexican boxing champion, maintained his status as an undefeated world title holder across four weight divisions from November 2021. He held the CMB, AMB, FIB, and OMB titles until his recent loss to Terence Crawford.
Canelo won his first world title in November 2015, the CMB Middleweight Championship. Since then, he had never experienced defeat until facing Crawford.
Experts’ Opinions on Canelo’s Risk Against Crawford
Matt Hoffman from Empire Boxing Productions in Canada acknowledged Canelo’s risk by taking on Crawford, stating that his status as a top boxer remains consolidated despite the loss.
“Accepting a fight against Crawford speaks volumes. It was a significant risk for him, but his standing as one of the greats is undeniably established, even with the defeat,” Hoffman said.
Canelo’s Business Acumen
Although age (35) won’t make Canelo younger, his business skills have allowed him to thrive. He’s become a controversial figure in the boxing world, particularly due to his lucrative contracts and transmission disputes.
Netflix reported that Canelo’s first title fight (for a disputed title) reached 41 million viewers, with an average of 36.6 million global television viewers per minute. The numbers rose to 41.4 million during the weekend, making it the most-watched male boxing championship event of this century.
Renato Bermudez, a boxing expert at ESPN, explained Canelo’s influence on the sport: “Canelo decides where to fight, who to face, and how much to earn. This is due to his intelligence as a businessman and marketer. Once feared, he now faces a downward trajectory in his career, but still holds two fights left in his contract with Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian investor behind Riyadh Season.”
Impact of Crawford’s Victory
Crawford, 37, outperformed Canelo in jabs, counterpunches, and overall positioning within the super middleweight category in the United States, where Canelo has achieved significant success.
Eduardo Lamazón from Box Azteca commented, “Canelo believes he lost because God erred on Saturday, not because Crawford is superior. However, Crawford’s victory confirms that Canelo has fallen from his prime. His reduced strike output during critical moments, diminished speed, and inability to solve problems distance him from his best form.”
Jeque Alalshikh’s Suggestion for Canelo’s Next Opponent
Following the match, Sheikh Turki Alalshikh suggested David Benavidez as Canelo’s next opponent on social media, questioning Benavidez’s ability to compete in the super middleweight division.
According to The Ring magazine, Canelo dropped in the libra por libra ranking of current boxers, now holding the 10th spot. David Benavidez, currently ranked ninth, surpassed Canelo.
Erika Montoya, a boxing journalist and analyst, explained the reasons behind fight selection:
- Boxers usually choose fights based on financial gains, legacy-building opportunities, or preparation matches to stay active for upcoming bouts.
- The majority of boxers prioritize fights offering the highest financial and sporting returns.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is Canelo’s loss significant?
A: The defeat marks a downward trend in Canelo’s career, although he remains a prominent figure due to his business acumen and marketing skills.
- Q: How has Canelo’s loss affected his standing in boxing rankings?
A: Canelo dropped from the top spot in The Ring’s libra por libra rankings to 10th place, being surpassed by David Benavidez.
- Q: What factors influence a boxer’s choice of opponents?
A: Boxers consider financial gains, legacy-building opportunities, and maintaining activity for upcoming fights when selecting opponents.
