BoxRec

"Canelo doesn't see his future at 175lbs!"

Everything indicates that Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez does not contemplate (in the near future or in the medium term) making the jump to the light heavyweight division (175 pounds), where he knocked out Sergey Kovalev at the end of 2019.

In an exclusive interview with TUDN, Canelo gave his reasons for not going up to that division in 2021. Perhaps not in 2022, after discussions with his coach, Eddy Reynoso.

"No, 175 no. Eddy (Reynoso) already told me that we're giving away too many advantages in that division. We will see what's next, but right now, we are focused on winning these titles [at 168 pounds]," he commented.

The Mexican boxer is enjoying a good spell after his most recent performance against Callum Smith. However, Canelo appreciates the toll that training and fighting [frequently has on his body], even though he already has several agreements and is in his sights:

"Six or seven years, that's what we think, we'll see, but in six or seven more years we'll be retiring."

At 30, Saúl Álvarez can still afford to step into the ring 70 days after defeating Callum Smith in San Antonio to face Avni Yildirim in late February in Miami.

"The truth is, that it is enough time, and I am very ready to fight... I feel happy, I am grateful to the people, and I am very motivated to go to Miami to fight." he concluded.

Thoughts?

For now..

If he can make interesting fights in 168 i have no problem with that

Thoughts on what? A fighter is choosing to fight in a division that he fits in rather than one he doesn’t, what’s the big deal ?

Canelo prefers jockeys over briefs!

He might change his mind when Beterbiev retires, is basically what he's saying

littlepug wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 11:54 Thoughts on what? A fighter is choosing to fight in a division that he fits in rather than one he doesn’t, what’s the big deal ?

His decision essentially rules out the possibility of him facing the likes of Beterbiev, Ramirez and other “big” 175lb-ers that can’t make 168lbs.

So it’s a fairly big deal.

TheRealz wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 20:36 He might change his mind when Beterbiev retires, is basically what he's saying

In commercial terms, Beterbiev is a “nobody”. His purses are tiny and he doesn’t bring any money to the table.

Canelo can earn better paydays campaigning at 168lbs.

GGG regularly boasted about being capable of beating the very best fighters campaigning at 168lbs and 175lbs.

And the only reason why he refrained from doing so (his words, not mine), was because the bigger fights and better paydays were at 160lbs.

So I’m guessing you’ll have some integrity by applying the same criticism to GGG that you do with Canelo?

You probably won’t, but it’s worth a try, I guess.

Cent0089 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 11:52 If he can make interesting fights in 168 i have no problem with that

I would definitely think the more commercially viable fights are at 168. We as Hardcore Boxing fans figure Beterbiev would be his stiffest challenge, and he probably would be, but I'd figure Caleb Plant or Benavidez would be bigger money fights for him, and would draw more interest in general.

They're not exactly walks in the park for him either.

I still think Canelo is probably a natural middleweight if anything at the moment.

chris123 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 21:47 I still think Canelo is probably a natural middleweight if anything at the moment.

Yeah probably so, but other than Jermall Charlo there ain't really nobody else to fight at 160. Though I reckon he could fight Murata in Japan, and make big money. The Japanese love putting their guys in against the best of the best. Even though he'd get wrecked it'd be a big fight over there. Only over there though. If he wanted to get the most money out of it he'd do it in Tokyo. No risk of him getting robbed really. The Japanese Commission tends to be one of the most honest, and also I doubt it'd go to the cards anyhow, and even if it did Canelo would win so lopsided that you couldn't take it from him if you wanted to.

chris123 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 21:47 I still think Canelo is probably a natural middleweight if anything at the moment.

He's a natural Super-middleweight, look at how thick he is. He needs to significantly suffer to get down to middleweight and/or use clenbuterol.

I think canelo would absolutly struggle to make 160 in his current shape. Canelo was properly in the 160s when he fought mayweather, 168 canelo looks like he could eat that version of himself... I wouldn't be shocked if he was well over 180lb vs callum smith, boy was thickkkkk.

gregregegg wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 22:08 I think canelo would absolutly struggle to make 160 in his current shape. Canelo was properly in the 160s when he fought mayweather, 168 canelo looks like he could eat that version of himself... I wouldn't be shocked if he was well over 180lb vs callum smith, boy was thickkkkk.

Agree. He's a scary unit. You are essentially fighting something that is all muscle. A bull would be his spirit animal.

Lol. A thread about Canelo, yet within a few posts proof pops up that GGG is still living rent free in EO's mind.

The Gratest wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 22:15 Lol. A thread about Canelo, yet within a few posts proof pops up that GGG is still living rent free in EO's mind.

Lol! Irrefutable fact.

The Gratest wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 22:15 Lol. A thread about Canelo, yet within a few posts proof pops up that GGG is still living rent free in EO's mind.

I don't know why you can't respect 2 great fighters. Why any Boxing fan feels the need to cut down one to praise the other is just ridiculous. They're both exciting fighters, and have given Boxing fans a lot of exciting fights.

Canelo has taken on a lot of dangerous opponents in spite of being the sports cash cow, and he could've easily been more careful with who he fights, but to his credit. He's taken on the best of the best for the most part.

GGG was IMO the most exciting fighter of the last decade. So why you would cut that guy down mystifies me.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 22:55

The Gratest wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 22:15 Lol. A thread about Canelo, yet within a few posts proof pops up that GGG is still living rent free in EO's mind.

I don't know why you can't respect 2 great fighters. Why any Boxing fan feels the need to cut down one to praise the other is just ridiculous. They're both exciting fighters, and have given Boxing fans a lot of exciting fights.

Canelo has taken on a lot of dangerous opponents in spite of being the sports cash cow, and he could've easily been more careful with who he fights, but to his credit. He's taken on the best of the best for the most part.

GGG was IMO the most exciting fighter of the last decade. So why you would cut that guy down mystifies me.

There’s no need trying to understand him/her/it, we are not qualified in any event. However I would be happy if you kept banning him, you are qualified in that sense.

Eh. He has to do something ban worthy. Questionable opinions in and of themselves aren't ban worthy.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 23:12 Eh. He has to do something ban worthy. Questionable opinions in and of themselves aren't ban worthy.

Understand. It was good to see some peace for a couple of weeks but there’s no question he brings the hilarity.

what if someone perosnally requests their own ban

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 03:42

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 21:34 Ban me! Ban me! Ban me!

Well, i was hoping we could all have a tickle party, but if that's you want bruh , mods you heard him

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 23:20 what if someone perosnally requests their own ban

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 03:42

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 21:34 Ban me! Ban me! Ban me!

Well, i was hoping we could all have a tickle party, but if that's you want bruh , mods you heard him

The online equivalent of stomping around like a pouty child isn't a big deal to me, though I did just kinda shake my head and laugh at seeing that.

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 20:43

littlepug wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 11:54 Thoughts on what? A fighter is choosing to fight in a division that he fits in rather than one he doesn’t, what’s the big deal ?

His decision essentially rules out the possibility of him facing the likes of Beterbiev, Ramirez and other “big” 175lb-ers that can’t make 168lbs.

So it’s a fairly big deal.

He’s pulling a Mayweather and icing out Beterbiev to a less competitive, more money timeline. Run up for a Zurdo at 175 could take a couple years, but that’s a money fight.

bobcatbox wrote: ↑17 Feb 2021, 00:34

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 20:43

littlepug wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 11:54 Thoughts on what? A fighter is choosing to fight in a division that he fits in rather than one he doesn’t, what’s the big deal ?

His decision essentially rules out the possibility of him facing the likes of Beterbiev, Ramirez and other “big” 175lb-ers that can’t make 168lbs.

So it’s a fairly big deal.

He’s pulling a Mayweather and icing out Beterbiev to a less competitive, more money timeline. Run up for a Zurdo at 175 could take a couple years, but that’s a money fight.

Honestly why the hell wouldn't he do that? When you can make more money to fight a less dangerous opponent, you'd be stupid to do anything else frankly.

And like I said beating Caleb Plant or Benavidez ain't exactly a walk in the park. He might could get Bivol to come down to 168 to face him. He's mentioned that he might do that.

The Gratest wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 22:15 Lol. A thread about Canelo, yet within a few posts proof pops up that GGG is still living rent free in EO's mind.

To be fair, I could post a video of GGG’s pre-fight Kell Brook press conference of him saying there’s no point in him leaving 160lbs, because that’s where the biggest fights and best payday’s are.

Yet Canelo is accused of running scared, because he’s choosing to remain at 168lbs for the very same reason.

However, Canelo is ridiculed but GGG is praised.

The only reason why I keep mentioning GGG, is to illustrate double-standards being applied by Canelo’s critics (or Golovkin’s fans).

In this scenario, I’m not actually criticising GGG himself, but I am pointing out the ridiculous conduct of his fans.