Canelo Alvarez’s next battle against William Scull in Saudi Arabia marks both his comeback to the ring and a chance to reclaim the IBF belt. The belt adds to his already impressive collection of WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight titles.
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Canelo Alvarez defends himself against criticism
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a successful boxer of his generation, is often criticised by fans for lacking the drama, knockouts, and powerful blows of other Mexican boxing heroes. Despite his impressive track record, some argue that his battles are no longer as entertaining as they once were.
Before facing the undefeated William Scull, the super middleweight champion clarifies the situation. Canelo believes that his opponents’ defensive position in the ring is the issue, rather than his own style. They aren’t striving for success, he adds, but rather to avoid punishment.
Canelo responds to criticism
Far from dodging the issue, Canelo addresses it head-on. In an interview with The Ring Magazine, he said: “For a good fight you always need two and they say that I am the one who does not give good fights. They say they are boring, but you need an opponent who also wants to fight and not just go up to survive the 12 rounds”.
With these statements, the Guadalajara fighter highlights what he considers to be a constant pattern: the lack of offensive intent on the part of his opponents. “They always blame me, they say Canelo makes boring fights, but it’s both of us,” he added. His message is clear: there can be no spectacle if the other does not take risks.
Canelo reveals why he keeps fighting
At 34 years of age, and still one of the most relevant figures in world boxing, Canelo assures that his motivation is no longer economic. After signing a multi-million dollar deal with Turki Al-Sheikh to fight in Saudi Arabia, the Mexican explained that he remains active because he still feels passion for what he does. “I could retire today and I wouldn’t need anything, but I’m still enjoying it,” he said.
