Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s Career and Public Perception
After 15 years, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s boxing career has two undeniable facts: he is a historic statistics champion, and he still hasn’t earned the widespread adoration of the Mexican public. This gap between Canelo and national icons like Fernando Valenzuela, Hugo Sánchez, and Julio César Chávez is a chasm that seems unbridgeable as Alvarez enters the veteran phase of his career.
The Disconnect Between Star and Idol
According to Carlos López Linaldi, a public relations and corporate communication consultant, “The image of a star does not necessarily equate to that of an idol. In Mexico, we have idols such as Fernando Valenzuela, Julio César Chávez, Ana Guevara, Paola Longoria, Hugo Sánchez, and Rafael Márquez. The common thread is that they achieved success in their respective disciplines by competing against the best in the world. Canelo should demonstrate his prowess inside the ring, rather than complaining about his opponents.
Canelo’s Accomplishments and Criticisms
Canelo Alvarez has amassed 13 championship belts throughout his career and joined an elite group of 11 boxers who achieved a unified title in their weight class, super middleweight, in 2021. However, his fights have often been criticized for lacking excitement.
The William Scull Fight: A Low Point
On May 3, Canelo reclaimed the unified super middleweight title against Cuban William Scull in Saudi Arabia, fulfilling the first of four fights arranged by promoter Turki Al-Sheikh for $400 million. Compubox statistics revealed that this was the fight with the fewest punches thrown between the boxers (445) in 40 years of record-keeping. Critics argue that Canelo should have taken a more active role in the fight, as Scull spent most of the match circling the ring.
Looking Ahead: The Terence Crawford Challenge
Canelo’s upcoming defense of his undisputed super middleweight title against Terence Crawford in September presents a significant opportunity to change public perception. Crawford, who has been a champion in two weight classes (super lightweight in 2017 and welterweight in 2023), will need to bulk up slightly to face Alvarez on September 12 in Las Vegas.
Crawford as Canelo’s Toughest Opponent Yet
Nicolás Rangel, a boxing analyst, believes that Terence Crawford will be Canelo’s toughest opponent due to their similar stature and Crawford’s strength, speed, and boxing skills. Rangel suggests that a loss to Crawford, provided it’s a hard-fought battle, would be more beneficial for Canelo’s image than another dominant victory with lingering doubts.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the main criticisms of Canelo’s recent fights? Critics argue that Canelo should take a more active role in his fights and demonstrate greater boxing skills to win over the Mexican public.
- Why is the Terence Crawford fight significant for Canelo? This fight offers Canelo a chance to prove himself against a formidable opponent, potentially changing public perception and showcasing his complete boxing abilities.
- What are the key differences between Canelo and other Mexican boxing icons? Unlike Fernando Valenzuela, Hugo Sánchez, and Julio César Chávez, Canelo has yet to earn the widespread adoration of the Mexican public, despite his impressive statistics and championship belts.
