In the end, logic prevailed, and serious boxing appreciates the gesture of champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to leave alone the issue of a possible fight with the YouTuber turned boxer, Jake Paul, who is still bleeding from the wound left by the Mexican’s snub, after the relentless pursuit of a meeting between the two that would be as lucrative as the clash with Mike Tyson in Arlington last November.
From the less weak side of the thread, Canelo Alvarez always had the upper hand, as it was Paul who wanted the opportunity, and as in any negotiation in which he has that advantage, Canelo chose to bury the issue to let himself be sweet-talked by the promoter of the moment in boxing, Sheikh Turki Alalshikh of Riyadh Season.
Immediately, Paul accused Canelo of being greedy: “The truth is you can be bought. You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your next nut.” But it should be noted here that didn’t he want to face him for the same reason? Both have shown that boxing does not interest them as much as the money at stake, so there is no room for such claims.
“Everyone has a price”
A respected voice recently gave his opinion on this matter and made it clear that Canelo’s current refusal could change. Jeff Mayweather told The Mayweather Channel: “I would say that if he gets past Crawford, he’ll fight Bivol or Benavidez”. It is important to note that with Bivol it would be an expected rematch, while with Benavidez they would both blow up the boxing world with the fight that everyone wants to see
“I think everyone has a price. If the sum is right, Canelo will certainly fight Benavidez,” Mayweather said, who left the suggestion that with Paul, the money was not enough of an argument for the Mexican, not at least as high as the one offered from Saudi Arabia: “Yes, but that price was not so high.”
“They control boxing for now”
Another voice that has an opinion on the matter is that of UFC boss Dana White, an entity that also works hand in hand with the sheikh, just like the boxing world: “They control the sport of boxing right now. I don’t think it’s hard for them to steal from anybody,” White said of the fact that Canelo preferred Turki and ignored Paul. They’re totally different levels. Not even the same universe of levels,” he concluded bluntly.