Alvarez has given up his WBC belt

[Bard of Boxrec]

His team seems to lack confidence in his ability to beat GGG

GGG has now been upgraded to full WBC champion.....BJS is the only other person with a major ABC belt at the weight, so if GGG can't get Canelo I imagine that Saunders will be high on his list of other possible opponents.

it will be interesting to see if the titles keep proliferating despite GGG mopping up all the trinkets. I expect the WBA will have at least two other champions anyway.

I think Canelo knows his comments on 'pursuing the fight' despite the ever-so-inconvenient 'ticking clock' of the WBC would come back to haunt him if he doesn't go ahead with this. There's nowhere to hide now, no other opponent to choose that he can conveniently say is the right option for him.

What I don't understand though is why, with the WBC title going to GGG, this means the deadline to make the fight is taken away? Why does the other guy holding the title make a difference to any enforced deadline by the WBC? it's the same fight...

Because previously, the deadline was enforced, and the penalty was having to relinquish the belt. That is now gone, so the deadline is gone. GGG has the belt, and has to have a mandatory I believe next.

So the mandatory will presumably be Canelo...and then a new deadline? Or is Canelo penalised a few spots for relinquishing?

[jamesmcdonnell]

it will be interesting to see if the titles keep proliferating despite GGG mopping up all the trinkets. I expect the WBA will have at least two other champions anyway.

I think Canelo knows his comments on 'pursuing the fight' despite the ever-so-inconvenient 'ticking clock' of the WBC would come back to haunt him if he doesn't go ahead with this. There's nowhere to hide now, no other opponent to choose that he can conveniently say is the right option for him.

What I don't understand though is why, with the WBC title going to GGG, this means the deadline to make the fight is taken away? Why does the other guy holding the title make a difference to any enforced deadline by the WBC? it's the same fight...

Because previously, the deadline was enforced, and the penalty was having to relinquish the belt. That is now gone, so the deadline is gone. GGG has the belt, and has to have a mandatory I believe next.

So the mandatory will presumably be Canelo...and then a new deadline? Or is Canelo penalised a few spots for relinquishing?

No, doesn't he have to fight Jacobs, his mandatory is for another belt.

[Bard of Boxrec]

[Supremo]

Looking forward to how the "impartial" Ring magazine spins this.....when ever it eventually covers the story in 6 months.
Pathetic. This is exactly why boxing is fucked and nobody has any interest.

[keithmoonhangover]

They will fight next year on Cinco De Mayo.

[Terminator666]

What's wrong with Alverez? Surely a fighter of his stature can call the shots and tell Goldenboy that he wants GGG next.

[Counter-puncher]

What's wrong with Alverez? Surely a fighter of his stature can call the shots and tell Goldenboy that he wants GGG next.

Unless hes actually shit-scared of him....

[Monte Fisto]

Big shame, but i do think this is a decision based more on greed than fear. Either way though its a shame for boxing.

[davie]

What's wrong with Alverez? Surely a fighter of his stature can call the shots and tell Goldenboy that he wants GGG next.

Unless hes actually shit-scared of him....

Boom!

[Deserter]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

Err.... Golovkin is doing a pretty damn good job of smashing everyone in his path, even if he's not strictly a one-punch KO artist like Julian Jackson. As for Alvarez, given his comments in the ring after the Khan fight I'd say he actually is a disgrace - if you're going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk...

[Boxerbeetle]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

Err.... Golovkin is doing a pretty damn good job of smashing everyone in his path, even if he's not strictly a one-punch KO artist like Julian Jackson. As for Alvarez, given his comments in the ring after the Khan fight I'd say he actually is a disgrace - if you're going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk...

Agreed. Canelo may not be 'fearful of being punched', but he's almost certainly fearful of being stopped / embarrassed by GGG. Getting outboxed by Mayweather (and to lesser extents, Lara & Trout) is one thing, but getting walked through by Golovkin is quite another.

[crusader]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

Does cowardly ducking occur only when someone considers another fighter a decapitator? What if someone just doesn't have much confidence in their ability to win a certain bout?

GGG is one of the best few punchers in boxing by the way, he punches far harder than anyone Canelo has faced, and he would also be Canelo's first full MW opponent. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Alvarez is weary about the punishment he could take if they fought, and let's not forget that credible accounts of their sparring mention Canelo being hurt multiple times to the body and head; perhaps that left a psychological mark and dented his confidence in his ability to beat GGG.

[tobyh5]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

I do not think a fighter has to necessarily be literally scared of being punched by another fighter to be fearful of fighting him. It is not always the actual physical fear but the fear of humiliation, of being exposed or beaten convincingly or knowing you are out of your depth.

I think Canelo and/or his team know or at least strongly fear that he would be convincingly beaten and probably stopped / knocked out. Currently they have the number one PPV draw and he is almost keeping them afloat or giving them power in the game and that would change hugely if he was beaten badly. Too much of a gamble for them.

So yeah, I think they are scared to fight GGG, possibly physically scared but certainly scared of the repercussions of fighting him.

[magwitch]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

I do not think a fighter has to necessarily be literally scared of being punched by another fighter to be fearful of fighting him. It is not always the actual physical fear but the fear of humiliation, of being exposed or beaten convincingly or knowing you are out of your depth.

I think Canelo and/or his team know or at least strongly fear that he would be convincingly beaten and probably stopped / knocked out. Currently they have the number one PPV draw and he is almost keeping them afloat or giving them power in the game and that would change hugely if he was beaten badly. Too much of a gamble for them.

So yeah, I think they are scared to fight GGG, possibly physically scared but certainly scared of the repercussions of fighting him.

Very eloquently put - I agree. I might have added to my original comments - scared of getting derailed/ losing, rather than scared of a violent man, but you’ve basically just hit the nail on the head better than everyone.

[coneye]

Best thing that can happen now ,, is GGG says get stuffed i'm the champ , you want the belt you fight me and i want 50-50 fighting at 160 .. Chickenheart says NO ,, Oscar says NO fine let them fack off and see if anyone will pay to see a Cotto -Khan rematch ,, What else is he going to do , can't see him demanding a fight with the Canadian , if thats at 160 he might not win .

This farce may be the straw that breaks the camels back ,, Chicnheart Canelo may just find it harder to get people to fight now under Canelo weight .... Hope so i'd like to see him froze out completly .

But i do wonder if Billy Joe is going to get stick when GGG comes a chasing his belt

[davie]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

By Golovkin?
Yes!

[Anzi]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

Does cowardly ducking occur only when someone considers another fighter a decapitator? What if someone just doesn't have much confidence in their ability to win a certain bout?

GGG is one of the best few punchers in boxing by the way, he punches far harder than anyone Canelo has faced, and he would also be Canelo's first full MW opponent. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Alvarez is weary about the punishment he could take if they fought, and let's not forget that credible accounts of their sparring mention Canelo being hurt multiple times to the body and head; perhaps that left a psychological mark and dented his confidence in his ability to beat GGG.

Exactly.

[banjo]

He's only a light middle anyway, he'll go back there.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Spineless effing rat.

The right man is now the champion and I would like to see GGG publicly state that he has zero interest in fighting Canelo, he is going after the belts and the undisputed title, not the money and he has no interest in fighting for just a payday against a coward.

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

I do not think a fighter has to necessarily be literally scared of being punched by another fighter to be fearful of fighting him. It is not always the actual physical fear but the fear of humiliation, of being exposed or beaten convincingly or knowing you are out of your depth.

I think Canelo and/or his team know or at least strongly fear that he would be convincingly beaten and probably stopped / knocked out. Currently they have the number one PPV draw and he is almost keeping them afloat or giving them power in the game and that would change hugely if he was beaten badly. Too much of a gamble for them.

So yeah, I think they are scared to fight GGG, possibly physically scared but certainly scared of the repercussions of fighting him.

I've always thought this, that the worst of it is the threat of humiliation. It must be very humiliating to get torn to shreds in front of thousands of baying people. I don't think fighters fear pain, they are used to the pain, but the humiliation, that's another thing entirely.

[black panther]

He's only a light middle anyway, he'll go back there.

A 180lb light middleweight. He refused to be weighed on fight night for the Khan fight. Last time he was weighed on fight night was 2 years ago for the Angulo fight where he was 174lbs. He would have been a few pounds north of that for Khan - that last pound getting to 154lbs will be very hard now.

Funny thing is weight wise he's bigger than GGG: Golovkin typically weights around 170lbs on fight night.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He's only a light middle anyway, he'll go back there.

A 180lb light middleweight. He refused to be weighed on fight night for the Khan fight. Last time he was weighed on fight night was 2 years ago for the Angulo fight where he was 174lbs. He would have been a few pounds north of that for Khan - that last pound getting to 154lbs will be very hard now.

Funny thing is weight wise he's bigger than GGG: Golovkin typically weights around 170lbs on fight night.

Exactly - without the knowledge that he has significant advantages over his opponent's, he doesn't seem keen, he's like a kid with football who makes his own rules because he owns the ball.

This whole fiasco will hurt him though, I don't see how the Mexican fans will appreciate this, a culture predicated on machismo isn't going to be impressed by a guy who throws away the belt rather than defend it against his #1 rival.

Golden boy may well end up killing the ginger goose.

The thing is, if he fought GGG and lost, I don't see it being a major knock either.

[Stuarty]

He's only a light middle anyway, he'll go back there.

A 180lb light middleweight. He refused to be weighed on fight night for the Khan fight. Last time he was weighed on fight night was 2 years ago for the Angulo fight where he was 174lbs. He would have been a few pounds north of that for Khan - that last pound getting to 154lbs will be very hard now.

Funny thing is weight wise he's bigger than GGG: Golovkin typically weights around 170lbs on fight night.

Exactly - without the knowledge that he has significant advantages over his opponent's, he doesn't seem keen, he's like a kid with football who makes his own rules because he owns the ball.

This whole fiasco will hurt him though, I don't see how the Mexican fans will appreciate this, a culture predicated on machismo isn't going to be impressed by a guy who throws away the belt rather than defend it against his #1 rival.

Golden boy may well end up killing the ginger goose.

The thing is, if he fought GGG and lost, I don't see it being a major knock either.

Very true. He's only 25. If he loses then he's young enough to come again. If the fight doesn't happen next then Oscar and GB have made Canelo out to look a right tit after his 'we don't fukk around' speech. Oscar just wants him to keep winning so he has a steady income in place to pay for his powder and sussies. Feckin creep!

[magwitch]

Do you think Canelo is fearful of being punched?

Absolutely NO way. Golovkin hits well and he hits hard but he’s not leaving men cold like some decapitator. No way in the world is he the * insert sissy coward pussy hole disgrace * that people are saying here

I do not think a fighter has to necessarily be literally scared of being punched by another fighter to be fearful of fighting him. It is not always the actual physical fear but the fear of humiliation, of being exposed or beaten convincingly or knowing you are out of your depth.

I think Canelo and/or his team know or at least strongly fear that he would be convincingly beaten and probably stopped / knocked out. Currently they have the number one PPV draw and he is almost keeping them afloat or giving them power in the game and that would change hugely if he was beaten badly. Too much of a gamble for them.

So yeah, I think they are scared to fight GGG, possibly physically scared but certainly scared of the repercussions of fighting him.

I've always thought this, that the worst of it is the threat of humiliation. It must be very humiliating to get torn to shreds in front of thousands of baying people. I don't think fighters fear pain, they are used to the pain, but the humiliation, that's another thing entirely.

This Golovkin is a freak of nature power wise...think we’d all agree. But he’s also boxing royalty...I think he won all the top awards in the amateurs. He’s definitely no banger merchant, the man is calibre by the looks of it.

But do people think the Mexican would get humiliated? Losing and humiliation are different things. For me, there is no humiliation in losing to a better man.....that’s damaging psychology. For all anybody knows, Canelo could land a lucky (or not) big crack.

Last week....live and in person, I watched the London 2012 Gold Medallist and now 10-0 (7 early).....he stalked his opponent (13-1 nine early) like a cat stalks a mouse. So powerful and fast! You wouldn’t want to get cracked by him, trust me! A Japanese!! He had the kind of advantages over his opponent that opponent that made me think just how hard it must be to tell a man who’s doping from one who naturally just is a peak physical specimen! After all, isn’t that what they all are striving for?

Ryota Murata.....And yet for all his strength, you suspect these clever boxers like Jones and Hopkins would have diddled him in about 4 rounds! Crazy.

The Japanese is 30, Canelo is about 23 or summat daft. It would not surprise me at all to see Murata in the title picture in 12-18 months.

[Terminator666]

GGG is no spring chicken. It's obvious that Alvarez and his team want to avoid him for another year or two in the hope that they can then take him. By the time it happens it won't be that dis-similar to Mayweather v Pacman. A fight that happened too late.