Comments Thread For: A dissenting voice: 'Canelo Alvarez has earned the right to choose his fights'

[Bro. Steve]

Not a Canelo fan, but I agree he can do what he likes, just like everybody else.

There are consequences to picking your own path. In his case, it's loss of respect. Everybody knows he's avoided certain fighters because he didn't think he could beat them. Everybody knows about the clenbuterol. Canelo, like Mayweather, used his considerable talent and work ethic to amass a huge financial fortune in boxing. And then everybody knows Canelo has been gifted some decisions he should have lost because of financial interests. And the goal was always the fortune. Result? The boxing fans don't get to see the best fight the best, which is what we're after. But Canelo walks away with hundreds of millions... which is what he wanted.

The consequence, again, loss of respect. At this stage, he doesn't care about that.

When he's older, he will care about it a lot, and console himself with his riches.

[Claude Palle]

Berlanga reminds me of the old days. The next "great white hope", except he's Puerto Rican. What has he done to deserve this fight? He racked up a bunch of first round K.O's against cans before stepping up the comp and struggling. Does beating Padraig McCrory suddenly vault you to number one contender? GGG crushed Steve Rolls in four rounds and Berlanga had to win by decision? He is the "chosen one" alright. Chosen by Canelo because he is not a threat!

[PNUT901]

Of course, everyone has the right to do what they want. Canelo has the right to pick his fights , and fans have the right to not pay for his fights , to complain, and savage him on social media. Along with rights , come responsibilities when you agree to hold a title belt , like the responsibility to face your mandatory contenders in a timely manner. Canelo fails there , and the Alphabet Bandits allow him privileges not extended to all title holders. The fans generally don't like unfairness , in any sport. So Canelo is free to do as he wishes , and the fans will respond as they wish.

[Brittney1229]

And fans have earned the right to choose not to pay for them.

It’s like saying McDonalds have “earned” the right to charge $100 for a meal. It doesn’t make it right.

You beat me to the punch! Right on man! I'm not buying this crap.

[Corelone]

This is what happens when you pay a guy $300million dollars. He thinks he can do what he wants, he'll never be hungry again. Pop tarts and sweet meats no more tortillas and frijoles.

[JeBron Lamez]

Terrible take.

[A.B Counterhooks]

EVERY fighter has the right to fight or not fight whoever he wants. But a CHAMPION has the obligation to continuously prove he is the best fighter in the world by repeatedly defending against top fighters or #1 contenders. Alvarez' recent fights have been against a 40 year old GGG, Ryder, Charlo coming up two divisions, Munguia, now Berlanga - he refuses to fight the top contenders. He deserves to be criticized and has transformed himself from "champion" to "paper champion".

This is true indeed bro but you know whats kinda funny, i never saw the same demands from the fans back when benavidez had the belt, Benny was demolishing B-C level opp and was being praised for it, this just proves proven great fighters like Canelo are constantly held by totally different standards, the ginger could fight Benavidez next and folks would still demand guys like Bivol or Beterbiev until he loses again and they be like 'see I told he was overrated' Lol.

[doom_specialist]

Canelo can face who he wants, but when it's all said and done, I'll view him like I view Floyd Mayweather. I'll view Canelo as someone who cherry picked his way through opponents during the last phase of his career.

Floyd is not even in my top 20, because of this fact - and it doesn't matter that he retired undefeated.

Mayweather has no "Fight of the Year" candidates, because he didn't dare to be great....he only dared to be rich.

I will give Canelo, a nod over Floyd, in that his fights during the last phase of his career have been more entertaining than Floyd's....but it's evident, nonetheless, that Canelo too only seems to pick and choose opponents that he knows he can beat. This backfired against Bivol however.

He can continue to face who he wants, but this will tarnish his legacy.

Choosing Berlanga is a joke, btw. If Berlanga wins, this will be a massive upset.

Who did Mayweather not fight?

[rckdees]

Alvarez has been picking his fights his whole career…he’s a good fighter but he’s a thief, making millions off of fighting guys in lower weight classes and fighters he perceives to be past their prime and because he has **** relationships with the sulaimans and a very loyal fan base he’s gotten away with it….he’s a fraud

[Theshotyoudontsee]

As others have rightly said. It isn't that anyone cares who Canelo fights. It is that he squats on the belts and ducks the good fighters, the guys people want to see because that is what the champion does, they fight the best fights, the mandatories, and they fight for the fans. That is why boxing exists, the fans.

Canelo is blatantly open in ducking, keeping the best in the division from being able to fight to become world champion. Just drop the belts and use your name to draw viewers. But he loves that word "champion" in front of his name. He just doesn't want to fight like one because he lost to Bivol badly and now his career is almost over. So he is making paydays.

Great. Just drop the champion act. You are 34, you aren't 40, and you should be fighting Benavidez. His fans are just s t u p i d enough to ignore reality and cheer him on because he is "their guy". He hasn't had a KO in a long time, isn't exciting or intriguing because he fights little Charlo, Mungia and now Berlanga.

It's just a joke and no amount of ass kissing articles or spin from promoters fools anyone. He was a good fighter with an all timer chin, always overhyped, but now his last act is embarrassing, for someone that calls themselves a champion.