The upcoming fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is already starting to raise tension, and not precisely because of what happens inside the ring. The Mexican boxer was criticized on social networks after suggesting that his next opponent surpasses boxing icons such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
Boxing will live an unmissable chapter on September 13, when Canelo Alvarez faces Terence “Bud” Crawford at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a duel that has been promoted as one of the most important of the year. Alvarez will put all his 168-pound titles (WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF) on the line in a matchup that promises to be a spectacle both inside and outside the ring.
A covert promotion or a sincere opinion?
- During a dynamic with Ring Magazine, Canelo was challenged to interrupt the interviewer as soon as he heard the name of a boxer who, in his opinion, was better than Crawford
- Although names such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and even Dmitry Bivol were mentioned, the Mexican did not stop the conversation at any time.
- The message was clear: for Canelo, Terence Crawford is above all of them.
- This statement quickly went viral and provoked mixed reactions on social media. Some interpreted his words as a strategy to raise the profile of the fight and increase pay-per-view sales, while others believe that Canelo simply gave his point of view as a sportsman.
Respect between legends
The fans of Mayweather and Pacquiao, two living boxing legends, did not take the comparison well. Many felt that putting Crawford ahead of figures with longer track records and titles in multiple divisions is disrespectful.
However, there were also those who supported Canelo’s view, highlighting the talent, discipline and consistency that Crawford has shown in recent years, even moving up in weight class to accept this challenge.
Marketing in modern boxing
It is no secret that in boxing today, promotion is almost as important as the fight itself. Controversial statements, intense face-to-face encounters and social media are essential tools for building anticipation.
Canelo Alvarez,a veteran of more than 60 fights, understands how the business works. His comment, sincere or not, has achieved exactly what many believe he was looking for: to get everyone talking about his next fight.
Is Terence Crawford better than Canelo Alvarez?
Terence Crawford arrives on an impressive winning streak and with titles in several divisions. His victory over Errol Spence Jr. cemented him as one of the most feared boxers around.
However, there is still debate as to whether his record surpasses that of legends such as Pacquiao or Mayweather, who dominated for more than a decade and defeated multiple renowned champions.
What is undeniable is that Crawford has earned his place in this historic fight, and Canelo’s words, intentional or not, have put the spotlight on him like never before.
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