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‘Slay the king’ – Dubois intends to ‘make a fool’ of Joshua

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ANTHONY JOSHUA DANIEL DUBOIS

DANIEL DUBOIS INTENDS TO ‘SLAY THE KING’ AND ‘MAKE A FOOL’ OF ANTHONY JOSHUA IN IBF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Daniel Dubois has not held back in the build-up to his date of destiny, saying that he wants to “make a fool” of IBF world heavyweight title challenger Anthony Joshua. With Oleksandr Usky vacating the belt to face off once more against Tyson Fury, Dubois is ready to “slay the king” at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21.

Daniel Dubois says he intends to “make a fool” out of Anthony Joshua ahead of their IBF world heavyweight title showdown.
Due to face off at Wembley stadium on Saturday, September 21, Dubois was in a bullish mood in a video released on promoter Queensberry’s YouTube channel.
Joshua vs Dubois official as Britons prepare for title fight at Wembley | The Independent

JUST IN: CRAWFORD SAYS CANELO IS DUCKING; ALVAREZ RESPONDS – ‘I’M THE FACE OF BOXING’

After former undisputed champion of the world Oleksandr Usyk vacated his IBF belt to rematch Tyson Fury in December, Dubois was upgraded to interim champion.
And the 26-year-old was unequivocal in his intentions for the bout, which he called “definitely bigger” than his defeat to Usyk in August of last year.
“I’m not here to talk foolishness,” said Dubois. “But I want to make a fool out of AJ by knocking him out and put all the doubters and the critics to sleep.
“This is definitely bigger than the Usyk fight. This is definitely the lion’s den, this one.
“Topping a bill with a major elite fighter, a guy that’s been up there for a long time, now I feel like it’s the right time to knock him off that pedestal and take the front.
“I looked at him as the guy that’s leading the way for British fighters, British heavyweights, British boxing.
“So he’s been the king for a long time, and now is my time. I need to dethrone the king and slay the king, and that’s what I’m going to have to do.”
‘Dynamite’ hit the headlines in June by announcing that he floored Joshua in sparring, when the latter had just turned professional.
Joshua strenuously denied the claims, though admitted that Dubois had “cracked” him.
But the latter insisted that he was tougher, both physically and mentally, than he was seven years ago.
Dubois said: “I’m a different guy now. Harder punching and stronger will and that’s what this fight is going to come down to, the spirit and the will of each fighter.”
Dubois’ last fight saw him defeat Filip Hrgovic via TKO and become the IBF interim champion.
After taking several heavy blows, Dubois grew into the contest and looked to have gained the upper hand before cuts above both Hrgovic’s eyes brought a halt to proceedings.
And he questioned Joshua’s ability to withstand the force of the Croatian and recover as he did.
“I won’t take them shots,” promised Dubois. “Hrgovic is completely different to AJ. The way he throws his shots, it’s smooth, he’s light and he’s quick. So it took me a while to get the hang of it.
“If you look at the fight properly I was slipping, just subtly sometimes and doing what I had to do to win and that’s what I’m going to have to do again.
“Break Joshua, break what’s in front of me down and get a victory by any means necessary. Could he take them shots Hrgovic was throwing?”
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CRAWFORD SAYS CANELO IS DUCKING; ALVAREZ RESPONDS – ‘I’M THE FACE OF BOXING’

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Terence Crawford has hit back at Canelo Alvarez for not wanting to fight him. 

Crawford has been chasing Canelo since becoming the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. Crawford moved to 154 and beat Israil Madrimov to become the WBA champion. The fight was seen as a step towards fighting Alvarez at 168. Crawford took the shots well, but the fight appeared closer than the unanimous scorecards suggested.

The Saudis contacted Canelo about making the fight. The Mexican dismissed those channels, saying he was not interested in making a fight. Crawford has now reacted by calling out what he perceived as double standards.

Terrence Crawford denies using Canelo Álvarez for Israil Madrimov promotion as he sounds off on Mexican over

READ: “I’m a threat to his legacy”: Terence Crawford blasts Canelo Alvarez over ‘antics’ and ‘excuses’

He highlighted how Canelo had been fighting smaller guys in the past. Amir Khan and Floyd Mayweather, to name a few. Crawford even highlighted how Canelo made his weight class by fighting guys at 155 pounds when he fought Khan.

“I think Canelo is more so nervous of losing to a smaller guy like myself than being scared of me. I just think he knows that I have the tools and ability to disrupt anything that he brings to the table. Canelo is very strong and punches very hard but you’re going to need more than just power and strength to beat Terence Crawford. And I think for a little small guy from 135 to go to 168 and defeat Canelo Alvarez would be a big tarnish on his legacy as well,” Crawford said

Canelo’s focus is boxing Edgar Berlanga on September 14. Alvarez defends his WBO, WBC and WBA belts after the IBF stripped him for not facing his mandatory William Scull. Despite not being undisputed, Canelo managed to secure himself a fight on Mexican Independence Weekend on September 14. It will clash with UFC 306, which holds the first combat event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Canelo has shown he can sell consistently regardless of whom he fights. While he may not hit the numbers Floyd Mayweathergenerated, Canelo can make big paydays without the need to risk facing the big names. After Berlanga, there will be serious question marks over his next opponent. Eddie Reynoso has hinted that Canelo could take up a fight in Japan.

That would likely be an exhibition bout or a fight against a lesser-known name. Alvarez can sell worldwide, which is why a Chris Eubank Jr. fight could materialize in the UK. Eubank Jr. was in contention for the Canelo fight before Berlanga got the nod. Canelo has clarified that he is the ‘face of boxing.’

“I respect everybody but I don’t like the way [Alalshikh] talks. It’s his problem, not my problem. I didn’t ask for a fight. If he wants a fight, he needs to do it my way, and not his way.Crawford knows now. He experimented 154 and he knows [what I would do to him]. Maybe he does 168 for a big check. Everyone wants to fight me for a payday. I am the face of boxing,” Alvarez stated

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‘PEOPLE EXPECT A LOT’: JOSHUA AIMS TO DOMINATE DUBOIS

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Anthony Joshua Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua hopes to put on a dominant performance when he boxes Daniel Dubois on September 21. 

The pair face off for the IBF Heavyweight Title as Joshua aims to become a three-time champion. AJ lost his belts when he suffered two consecutive losses against Oleksandr Usyk. Since then, Joshua has reinvented himself. He is with Ben Davidson, as the pair have worked together for Joshua’s last two fights. Joshua has stoppedOtto Wallin and Francis Ngnannou. While they are not the highest level of opposition he could have faced, Joshua was praised for bringing back his combination-style boxing.

Dubois has also reinvented himself since his Usyk loss. The Brit was stopped by the Ukrainian in round nine and failed to get up in time after the count. There was a perception that Dubois had developed a reputation for quitting. He took a knee in his defeat to Joe Joyce. But stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic have allowed him to make history. Dubois is the current IBF Champion after Usyk vacated and was elevated. With Joshua being the favorite, he recognized that there was an expectation to deliver.

Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois: IBF champion tells AJ he is a 'king slayer' - BBC Sport

JUST IN: “;I’m a threat to his legacy”: Terence Crawford blasts Canelo Alvarez over ‘antics’ and ‘excuses’

“You can say so. Always developing, always learning. I do look back at my old fights as well. At the end of the day they were different types of opponents. I could have been beating a lot of lesser challenging opponents for many, many years.

“I could have been coming into my world title years now but I’ve done it early. So what I’m trying to say is that when I’m fighting guys, it’s hard to look unbelievable against someone that’s basically on the same level as you. World championship fights, they’re 50-50. But I get it. People, they expect a lot. They want to see dominance,” Joshua said

Joshua knows a win makes him mandatory for the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Uysk, giving him a shot at undisputed. But he cannot afford to make a mistake as he has done previously. Joshua faced Andy Ruiz Jr., knowing that a win would likely set up an undisputed fight with Deontay Wilder. Joshua made his American debut and almost stopped Ruiz.

But he paid the price for being too aggressive. Ruiz got on the inside and dropped Joshua. The Brit never looked the same, and he was later stopped. While Joshua won the rematch, the talk of a Wilder fight died down somewhat. The bout never got made as both men would lose their belts. Joshua recently confirmed that he aims to retire in the next two years, and it is now a critical period for his legacy. But Dubois is ready to cause an upset.

“I’m aiming to be the best. AJ has been the king for a long time but on the night I need to be the king slayer. I’m ready to let my fists do the talking. I’m 100% ready to go, focussed and to train like a beast,” Dubois stated 

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“I’m a threat to his legacy”: Terence Crawford blasts Canelo Alvarez over ‘antics’ and ‘excuses’

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Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

The consensus pound-for-pound best had a lot to get off his chest.

Terence Crawford has heard everything he has needed to from Canelo Alvarez lately to believe that the Mexican legend perceives him as a “threat to his legacy.”

That’s the verdict Crawford explained on Shawn Porter’s “The PorterWay Podcast” on Wednesday as the two boxing greats had been linked for a possible mega bout, before Turki Alashikh decided to turn the page on it earlier this week.

Terence Crawford blasts Canelo Alvarez over 'antics' and 'excuses'

JUST IN: “It Is A Different Story with Anthony Joshua”: Ahead Of Anthony Joshua Fight, Daniel Dubois Responds To Claims Over ‘Questionable Defence’

“It’s crazy and it makes me laugh with all the antics Canelo is doing and saying in the media about the size and he won’t get no credit,” Crawford began explaining on the podcast, referring to him being the smaller man who would move up two weight classes to 168 pounds to make the bout with Alvarez happen.

“But Canelo been fighting smaller guys his whole career,” Crawford continued. “Canelo been making his own catchweight for years. Canelo fought a smaller [Floyd] Mayweather, Canelo fought a smaller Amir Khan. He fought Jermell Charlo and I’m pretty sure he didn’t make as much money with all those guys except Mayweather — even [Edgar] Berlanga right now — that he will with me.

Crawford added: “But yet and still, he has all these excuses why he don’t want to take a fight with me. If it’s all about business, then you’re doing good business. If I’m easy work — I heard him say I’m easy work — if I was easy work, then you would take all that money that he’s offering you.”

As the consensus pound-for-pound best sees it, he believes Alvarez’s $200 million demand to fight David Benavidez and his $150 million request to fight “Bud” are very telling.

“That just lets me know right there that I’m a threat to him,” Crawford offered. “I’m a threat to him, I’m a threat to his legacy because it would be crazy for a guy that started at 135 to come all the way up to 168 — your weight, no catchweight — and dethrone you.

“He got that in the back of his head.”

Last weekend, Crawford became a four-division world champion as a result of defeating Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision and claiming the WBA super welterweight title. The 36-year-old admitted to “The PorterWay Podcast” that the thought of climbing up to 168 pounds to clash with Alvarez was his “motivation fight.”

Seeing Crawford needing to go the distance with Madrimov at 154 pounds, Alvarez recently suggested that “Bud” fighting a willing Teofimo Lopez next would be more appropriate.

Alvarez defends his unified super middleweight world titles against Berlanga on September 14.

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“It Is A Different Story with Anthony Joshua”: Ahead Of Anthony Joshua Fight, Daniel Dubois Responds To Claims Over ‘Questionable Defence’

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Anthony Joshua Daniel Dubois

Daniel Dubois has won the hearts of boxing fans around the globe for his likeable character and determination in the face of adversity – despite being previously criticised for a lack of grit in the past.

As the biggest fight of his life approaches, Dubois has addressed concerns that he takes too many shots ahead of a domestic dust-up against the hard-hitting Anthony Joshua.

‘Triple D’ was unsuccessful in his unified title bid against Oleksandr Usyk twelve months ago, taking a knee for the second time in his career and accepting a knockout defeat, much to the disappointment of British fight fans. However, those who were suspicious of his will in the ring were soon proven wrong, as Dubois bounced back with consecutive career-best stoppage wins of his own against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, the latter seeing him pick up the IBF interim title, which was later upgraded to the full world title.

Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois 'had to be pulled apart' before press conference for Wembley bout | Boxing News | Sky Sports

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois: Joshua’s Weight May Make A Difference

During that contest, many viewers took notice of how much punishment Dubois was subject to during the early stages of the contest, eating an eyewatering 35 power punches in the opening two rounds alone. Meanwhile, Joshua needed to land just five power punches to stop Francis Ngannou in February.

Consequently, former British champion David Price declared that if Dubois was as easy to hit against Joshua as he was against the Croatian, he would expect ‘AJ’ to get the job done without the judges’ intervention.

“He is easy to hit with a right-hand, we saw that in the Hrgovic fight, he was catching him repeatedly with the right-hand but he was walking through them. I think that it is a different story with Anthony Joshua and I think that ‘AJ’ is probably going to win late on.”

Whilst admitting that he took too many right-hands, Dubois boasted of how he fought through the fire and aims to do the same in six weeks’ time, before adding doubt as to whether Joshua’s chin could have coped with the same blows, in an interview with Queensberry Promotions.

“I won’t take them shots. Hrgovic is completely different to AJ, the way that he throws his shots is smooth, he is light and he is quick, he doesn’t load up or anything. It took me a while to get the hang of it but I found a way to deal with it. If you look at the fight properly, I was slipping, just subtly sometimes, doing what I had to do to win.

“That is what I am going to have to do again, break Joshua up, break down what is in front of me and get the victory by any means necessary.

“Could he [Joshua] take them shots that Hrgovic was throwing? Everyone has got an opinion. Let them get on with it. Now it is time to do the work and see what they [the naysayers] say after this one.”

Joshua-Dubois takes place at Wembley Stadium on September 21st, topping a blockbuster bill that features a plethora of British talent.

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Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois: Joshua’s Weight May Make A Difference

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Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois

The Anthony Joshua weight has varied in his professional career and something to consider ahead of his next fight.

He takes on Daniel Dubois in Wembley stadium next month in a super fight in the UK that also sees the IBF title on the line.

Dubois is only slightly shorter in height but is eight years younger and fearless.

Anthony Joshua next fight: IBF title shot in doubt after Daniel Dubois victory - Dexerto

READ: Canelo Alvarez Fires Back at Turki Alalshikh Over Crawford Fight Offer

Joshua on his legendary night when he beat Klitschko weighed 250 lbs. all those years ago.

In his first fight with Usyk though the Anthony Joshua weight was 240 lbs. – ten pounds lighter.

He was 244.5 lbs. in the second fight with Usyk.

Maybe now years on, as long as he’s trained and well rested and in shape, maybe 250 lbs. and above is a good weight for Joshua moving forward post Usyk.

Full hydrated and ready to fight.

His power against Ngannou was there again too.

He was 252.5 lbs. that night.

So anything between there and 250 lbs. seems to now suit the Anthony Joshua weight as a pro.

People forget he learned his craft late on the job as a world champion in pro boxing with a limited amateur career even though he won Olympic gold, he didn’t have that many amateur fights.

Now that he’s settled down in his style in the pros, yes, stick to your boxing and everything you learned but don’t forget what you are good at — fast, powerful, accurate shots — where power does count in the heavyweight division.

A little extra weight over 250 lbs. has shown to be a good thing in Joshua’s career, overall, by this point.

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“He’s Afraid And Only Wants Easy Fights”: Turki Alalshikh Reveals Why Canelo-Crawford Collapsed

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Canelo Alvarez Turki Alalshikh

Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh has seemingly ruled out working with Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez after claiming the Mexican only likes ‘easy fights’.

Alalshikh made no secret of his desire to make the huge match-up between two time undisputed champion Terence Crawford and current super-middleweight unified champion Canelo, even announcing during the Crawford-Madrimov card that an offer had been sent to Canelo’s team.

However, just 48 hours later that offer had been rescinded and the man behind big time boxing in Saudi Arabia said he had now ‘disregarded’ the clash.

Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh Abandons Collaboration Plans with Canelo Alvarez

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua’s refusal to fight Zhilei Zhang is ‘worst kept secret’

“Just wrapped up an important meeting now with my team, planning for the upcoming fights that we will make for 2024-2025. I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore. Instead, I will be focusing for the US market with bigger fights, especially for the legend Crawford.”

In response, Canelo said he ‘doesn’t really care’ and that the fight could only happen on his terms.

“I don’t really care about it. Look, I’m focused 100% on my fight and I don’t really care about it. They text me yesterday, is it possible to talk about that Crawford fight for February or meet yesterday here in Los Angeles with him. And I said look, I’m 100% focused on this fight and I can’t talk about other fights.

Maybe that’s why he thought about that today, because I say I’m not ready to talk about other fights. And I don’t really ask him for anything. I’m good … I’m good with what I’m doing. I don’t need that kind of thing. I’m not looking for that kind of fight. If they want the fight, okay, it’s my way not their way.”

The man behind Riyadh Season has now taken to social media to claim the four-weight world champion was wasting his time and is ‘afraid’ to fight the best ever since his loss to Dmitry Bivol.

“I heard what Canelo said that he respects me but doesn’t like the way we do business. As for him respecting me, it doesn’t matter to me if he does or not. As for the way I do business, I know why he doesn’t like it, because I only target big fights at fair prices, so of course anyone who likes easy fights won’t like that.

And I know how he feels after losing to Bivol, so he’s been looking for easier fights ever since. Also, I’m not the one who’s afraid of fighting Benavidez or Crawford.

Therefore, I knew he was wasting our time and making excuses with big amounts of money that can’t be paid. So I’m continuing my way to make big fights that serve the boxing world, and he’s on his way to making easy show-only fights.”

Alalshikh is now focusing on other big fights for Crawford with Vergil Ortiz and Jaron ‘Boot’s Ennis both at the top of the list.

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Anthony Joshua’s refusal to fight Zhilei Zhang is ‘worst kept secret’

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Anthony Joshua Zhilei Zhang

Anthony Joshua’s refusal to fight Zhilei Zhang is ‘worst kept secret’ says Chinese contender’s co-manager Terry Lane

Zhilei Zhang’s team believe Anthony Joshua has tried to ‘avoid’ a professional fight; the British star floored and defeated Zhang on points at the London 2012 Olympic Games; Joshua challenges Daniel Dubois for IBF title at Wembley on September 21

Joshua is preparing to challenge British rival Daniel Dubois for the IBF title at Wembley Stadium on September 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Zhilei Zhang

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez Fires Back at Turki Alalshikh Over Crawford Fight Offer

Zhang was floored and outpointed by Joshua at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but the big-punching southpaw has been unable to secure a revenge bout with his amateur rival in the professional ranks after a string of impressive wins, including an explosive knockout of Deontay Wilder in June.

“I think it’s the worst kept secret in boxing that AJ wants no part of Zhilei,” Lane told Sky Sports.

“There’s been opportunities for them to fight.

“It’s just very clear that there’s no interest on AJ’s end, he just wants to avoid the fight, which is unfortunate.”

Sky Sports understands Joshua believes rivals are using his name to ‘stay relevant’ as he bids to become a world heavyweight champion for a third time against Dubois.

Zhang had previously been linked with a fight against Tyson Fury following his back-to-back stoppage wins over Joe Joyce.

With Fury set to face Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch on December 21, Zhang will be watching with interest to see who emerges with the WBC, WBA and WBO belts.

Zhilei Zhang v Joseph Parker (pic courtesy of Mark Robinson)

“A world title shot is the aim,” said Lane.

“AJ and Fury are the main desires for Zhang – those are two guys he wants to fight.

“I don’t know if Usyk is serious about moving back down to cruiserweight, but I think Zhilei has more than earned a shot against Fury and AJ.

“The problem with Zhilei is he’s feared. He’s a risky fight for anybody, a big-punching southpaw.

“He ruined the plans for Joyce to fight Fury and he ruined the plans for Deontay Wilder to fight AJ, so he’s known as a risky party pooper, spoiler, so getting these guys in the ring is proving to be tough.”

Zhang’s attempt to enforce a WBO title shot was derailed by a points loss to Joseph Parker, but Lane insists the recent victory over Wilder should earn a fight against the Usyk-Fury rematch winner or Joshua.

“Obviously, we would love a rematch with Parker and getting a chance to get the WBO interim title back, but we consider Zhilei already in title contention with his rankings across the board in all of the sanctioning bodies, said Lane.”

“I think he’s top four or five in all of them, as he should be, so we think he’s already in title contention and he’s earned a shot regardless of whether the Parker rematch happens next or not.”

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Canelo Alvarez Fires Back at Turki Alalshikh Over Crawford Fight Offer

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez Turki Alalshikh

A potential fight between Terence Crawford and Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez no longer has its big-money backer.

Crawford has called for the fight since his undisputed win over Errol Spence Jr last year. This past weekend he moved up to 154 and dethroned champion Israil Madrimov and much of the pre and post-fight talk was centred around Canelo.

Despite previously being dismissive of the fight by saying he would get little credit for beating the much smaller man, the Mexican super-middleweight champion did concede that he would take it if the money was right.

Turki Alalshikh On Crawford vs Canelo: "I Don't Want It Anymore"

READ: Canelo Alvarez Brand Terence Crawford Fight “Easy Money”, Admits David Benavidez “Is a Risk

With progress seemingly made, Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh said during the Crawford-Madrimov card that he had made an official offer. Just over two days later, he performed a u-turn on social media.

“Just wrapped up an important meeting now with my team, planning for the upcoming fights that we will make for 2024-2025. I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore. Instead, I will be focusing for the US market with bigger fights, especially for the legend Crawford.”

Canelo is diligently focused on facing undefeated Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga next and he believes that to be the sticking point for Alalshikh.

Speaking to FightHype, the 34-year-old revealed that he was contacted for a meeting but turned it down due to his upcoming defence. He then said that, since he wasn’t the one seeking the fight out, he ‘didn’t care’ about the recent turn of events.

“I don’t really care about it. Look, I’m focused 100% on my fight and I don’t really care about it. They text me yesterday, is it possible to talk about that Crawford fight for February or meet yesterday here in Los Angeles with him. And I said look, I’m 100% focused on this fight and I can’t talk about other fights.

Maybe that’s why he thought about that today, because I say I’m not ready to talk about other fights. And I don’t really ask him for anything. I’m good … I’m good with what I’m doing. I don’t need that kind of thing. I’m not looking for that kind of fight. If they want the fight, okay, it’s my way not their way.”

Canelo defends three of the four major super-middleweight belts against Berlanga on September 14 having recently been stripped of the IBF title.

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Canelo Alvarez Brand Terence Crawford Fight “Easy Money”, Admits David Benavidez “Is a Risk

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Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford David Benavidez

Branding Terence Crawford Fight “Easy Money”, Canelo Alvarez Admits David Benavidez “Is a Risk” as He Remains Adamant on $200 Million Demand

The trio is back on the headlines! Who? Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, and David Benavidez, of course. ‘Cinnamon’ just spoke about a potential fight against ‘Bud’, claiming it’s going to be a walk in the park for him. But that’s not all, folks. He even revealed why he wants $200 million for a fight against ‘The Mexican Monster’. Spoiler alert—He is a risk! So, let’s start from the top.

Terence Crawford just defeated Israil Madrimov last weekend at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. While Crawford won the title in a fourth weight class, his performance wasn’t exactly something to ride home about, proving Canelo, who is a weight class above Madrimov, would be difficult to say the least. Something Canelo agreed with while appearing in the Sway’s Universe podcast.

Turki Alalshikh Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Suffers Huge Blow As Fight Appears To Be Ruled Out Forever

Alright, the thing is, during last weekend’s event, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh came on air to suggest he is willing to offer Canelo a deal to make the fight against Crawford happen. So, the host of the show brought up the subject while speaking to Canelo on the podcast, asking whether a substantial offer would sway him to accept the fight.

In response, Canelo, confident in his ability to take down Crawford with ease, said, “Why not? I think Crawford, don’t get me wrong, he is a great fighter, but for me, in my weight class, it’s an easy fight. Easy money”. Interestingly, the former undisputed super middleweight champion even claimed that he doesn’t like fighting boxers like Crawford because of a specific reason.

“He moves a lot, and the fight is not that great”, said Canelo, but after watching Crawford’s bout against Israil Madrimov last weekend, Canelo seems to have had a change of heart. “I saw Crawford in the last fight, and he doesn’t move that much now. So, if the money is right, why not”, Canelo said. Meanwhile, Crawford wasn’t the only topic of discussion during the podcast!

David Benavidez, Canelo’s WBC mandatory for over a year now, has been asking for a fight against the Mexican super star vehemently. However, earlier this year, Canelo openly demanded $200 million to face ‘The Mexican Monster’, and he got a lot of flak for it too. Despite that, he seems adamant about getting his $200 million, no matter what! Near the end of the podcast, Canelo took some questions from the fans, who had called in to interact directly with Canelo.

One fan questioned Canelo about the reason behind his $200 million demand. To this, Canelo quickly responded, “Obviously, he is a risk. He is a great fighter, and plus, he brings to the ring on fight night 25 pounds more than me…” However, Canelo claims he doesn’t care about Benavidez coming in overweight for the fight because “I can beat that guy tomorrow” but only if he gets the money he wants.

As it appears, the Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez fight might actually become a reality. That’s if Crawford hasn’t changed his mind after fighting on the higher weight limit. In the meantime, nothing really has changed in the David Benavidez front.

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