Canelo Responds To McGregor’s Criticism – ‘He Knows He’s My Son’
Canelo Alvarez has hit back at Conor McGregor’s comments after the Irishman questioned his commercial value.
The Notorious reacted to Canelo’s decision to box Edgar Berlanga on Mexican Independence Weekend. It coincides with UFC 306, which will host the first-ever combat sports event at the arena on September 14. Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will headline.
The current perception is that the UFC card will generate more views and money. Dana White is committed to the cause, having invested at least $17 million. McGregor felt that Canelo’s decision to fight on the same day would backfire.
Canelo’s last fight with Jaimie Munguia generated over 500,000 PPVs. But when it came to McGregor, that was well short of what the Irishman had done. The Notorious has the PPV record at 2.4 million buys for his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in 2018.
McGregor And Canelo
McGregor’s fight with Michael Chandler, set for UFC 303, also showed his star power. The event set a new UFC record for the biggest live gate at over $20 million, while the tickets for the first presser were sold out in nine minutes. However, the fight never went ahead after McGregor pulled out with a toe injury. McGregor had a few words to choose from to say to Canelo.
“Canelo is a cornflake. He has about [300,000] buys in him. He does not generate nothing near what he seeks to be paid. UFC [306] is going to run them from the strip. Sheik Turki was right moving on. Canelo doesn’t sell,” McGregor said
Canelo has now decided to respond. He accused McGregor of trying to hype up the UFC’s event to help it sell more. Canelo’s following comments showed he had little time for the UFC fighter.
“What’s happening is that he’s helping Dana White to sell for the UFC. That’s why he’s saying that, but he knows he’s my son,” Canelo said
McGregor Vs. Canelo
While Canelo is scheduled to box in September, McGregor has not been in the UFC since 2021. He suffered a defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. That was his third loss in four UFC bouts as he broke his leg. McGregor has two fights left on his UFC deal, as he has spoken about his next steps. McGregor indicated he could fight in BKFC, having recently become a part-owner.
He has also been linked with a boxing return. His sole boxing fight came in 2017 when he lost to Floyd Mayweather. Several names have been mentioned, including Manny Pacquiao and even Canelo. While a fight between McGregor and Canelo is unlikely, it has not stopped the Irishman from exploring it. He referenced Canelo’s perceived decline and issues with southpaws, which gave him confidence.
“I’m a southpaw, John Ryder’s a southpaw, Billy Joe Saunders is a southpaw. I’ve seen methods, I’ve seen things I do, and I know he’s waning. I’d fight Canelo no [expletive] problem,” McGregor stated
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