Canelo Alvarez Unfazed By UFC 306 Clash – ‘Canelo Is Just Different’

Canelo Alvarez is unfazed by going head-to-head with UFC 306 on September 14 as he faces Edgar Berlanga.
Canelo fights on Mexican Independence Day Weekend, just as the UFC holds the first-ever combat sports event from The Sphere. There is a perception that the fight will struggle to sell due to the split audience. Berlanga is not the biggest name, as a super fight with David Benavidez would have resonated more against a fellow Mexican.
Canelo could have also faced Terence Crawford later, denying suggestions that he is taking easier fights at the talent of his career. The Saudis have been particularly vocal, calling out Canelo for ducking Benavidez. But rather than worry about the perception created around him, Canelo made it clear that he is a star attraction. He doubled down on his belief that he was a unique fighter who could sell regardless of who he faced.
Canelo Reacts
“It’s just different. Yeah, maybe other boxing matches [would struggle against the UFC], maybe. But Canelo is different. Canelo is just different, just different. I don’t care if the UFC is there. When Canelo fights, he’s different. Yeah, [I’m not worried about it],” Canelo said
Canelo’s last few PPV fights did sell well. He sold a reported 650,000 buys for the Jermell Charlo bout. That was significant since Charlo was moving up two weight classes and was seen as a massive underdog. The fight was uncompetitive, with Canelo walking down his opponent even if the stoppage never came.
The Jaimie Munguia fight did over 500,000 buys. Once again, that was a respectable number since Munguia was not seen as a big name. But the fight still appealed to the audience, given it was a Mexican clash. Canelo dominated the fight, knocking Munguia down to a comfortable unanimous decision win.
Stephen Espinoza has also had his say on Canelo.
Canelo Vs. Benavidez
The former President of Showtime has worked closely with Canelo in the past. Most recently, he oversaw Canelo’s fight with Charlo last year. The fight set a live gate of over $20 million, making it one of the highest-grossing boxing events last year. Espinoza also addressed the narrative that Canelo was ducking Benavidez.
Alvarez initially said he did not want to fight Mexicans since he represented Mexico. However, he went back on his word when he boxed Munguia. Benavidez ultimately moved up to 175 pounds, putting an end to that fight happening. While it was seen as a way to avoid a dangerous opponent, Espinoza dismissed suggestions that Canelo avoids fights. He still felt that the Benavidez fight could happen.
“I do. Call me naïve or overly optimistic, but I’m not going to close the door on anything. I think it is clearly not in Canelo’s character, it’s not in his track record to avoid high level fights, to avoid tough fights. You can pick any number of probably a half dozen fights where people told him not to take it, that it was too early, too tough a fight, or just not feasible or not advisable, but Canelo’s his own guy and he has never shied away from challenges and that’s why I wouldn’t close the book on it unless he retires without having fought Benavidez,” Espinoza added
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