Controversial Canelo pick that tarnishes the boxer’s legacy

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Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is firmly in the final stages of his career. And if fans had to identify a characteristic that defines this stage, many would cry out about the lack of risk: the lack of risk in opponent selection and the lack of risk in fighting style. Those same fans have made it clear, usually on social media, that in their eyes the multi-weight world champion is “sawing his legacy” with this approach. Others oppose such suggestions, arguing that the “face of boxing” has earned the right to do whatever he wants at the age of 34 – make money however he wants.

Both arguments can be valid. Canelo has blessed boxing over the last decade with his immense activity. The approach can actually be traced back to his professional debut in 2005, when the Mexican was just 15 years old. And that constant presence will be needed when he retires. His commitment to the industry and willingness to regularly immerse himself in the heat of the brightest lights – from arenas in Las Vegas to stadiums in Mexico – will be remembered.

And that same commitment has arguably earned Canelo the right to “ease” himself into retirement — as much as anything “easy” can be in boxing. Because as much as some fans have been excited about Alvarez’s last four fights, there’s nothing easy about facing Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo, John Ryder or Gennady Golovkin.

Still, it would be naive to dismiss criticism of that run out of hand. Of course, Canelo’s first two bouts with Golovkin — in 2017 and 2018 — were far more awkward prospects than the trilogy contest with the then-40-year-old GGG, and that last bout felt unnecessary and almost unfair to Golovkin. Some of the boxers asserted that he had been robbed of two victories over his rival in the past). And yes, most pundits didn’t believe in the chances of Munguia, Charlo and Ryder, but each boxer had something going for him. And each time, Canelo took it away from them.

Each time, he dropped his opponent en route to a clear points victory, and yet many observers wanted more from Canelo: not just in opponent profile, but in fighting philosophy. Many wanted the reigning super middleweight champion (recently undisputed, now unified after taking the IBF belt) to push a little harder, take a few more risks and go for the finish.

Canelo, who has recently become a tester and is better able to express his emotions in English, may argue that he has no need for such risks. His finishes of Amir Khan, Sergei Kovalev and Caleb Plant will be replayed for years – maybe decades. Even his losses to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol were merits. And why provide more holes in his defense for a knockout when his defense is already less impenetrable than it was in his prime?

The answer might be “legacy,” but then again, Canelo would certainly argue that his legacy is already secured. And that all brings us to Saturday, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, for Canelo vs Berlanga.

The fight most fans wanted would have pitted Canelo against David Benavidez, the WBC interim lightweight champion. And Canelo chose an unbeaten 27-year-old as his boxer, not just Benavidez.

Instead, Canelo will put his uniform belts on the line against Edgar Berlanga on Mexican Independence weekend. Fans are skeptical that Berlanga has a chance against the champion, while Alvarez vs Benavidez will see a much closer contest.

Does Canelo see it the same way? Is he really “wearing out” Benavidez, oblivious to the threat of the bigger, younger man? He suggested otherwise. “Look, he hasn’t accomplished anything,” Canelo said after defeating Munguia in May. “[He’s beaten] one master, Anthony Dirrell. Please don’t despise me.”

Benavidez has also beaten a former champion in Plant, who Canelo beat in 2021 – and actually more decisively than Benavidez. But the point for some fans is this: if the American’s resume was stronger, would Canelo be more likely to fight him? Or would the Mexican be less likely to face him at this point in Canelo’s career?

Canelo has said he will fight Benavidez for real money, but the figure he is likely to demand would probably seem absurd. Or at least it would have been until the recent takeover of boxing by the Saudis.

Canelo has yet to fight on the Turki Al-Sheikh show, and the Mexican even seemed annoyed by the Saudi adviser’s recent push for a superfight with Terence Crawford. Still, the smart money points to Canelo fighting on the Saudi card before all is said and done. Could he do that against Benavidez? There is a possibility. It would make less money than a fight with Crawford, but make more sense.

Either way, Benavidez isn’t next, and neither is Crawford; Next is Berlanga. And the Puerto Rican enters T-Mobile Arena full of belief that he can continue his 22-0 record, even if the fans don’t share that belief.