Canelo Alvarez has received some harsh criticism from ex-world champion Paulie Malignaggi over his upcoming opponent.
The Mexican superstar will next face Jaime Munguia on his traditional May 4 ‘Cinco De Mayo’ date, despite David Benavidez calling for a blockbuster showdown for the undisputed titles at 168lbs.
And former two-weight world champion Malignaggi has weighed in on the superstar’s decision to focus on his own planned path.
“It’s Canelo’s fault because he needs to do the right thing. He’s a sportsman,” Malignaggi said.
“The hamster wheel has to turn. If you jam it, you set a bad precedent for everyone else. That’s why we have a generation that hasn’t fought anybody.
“Imagine if Muhammad Ali acted like Canelo. Muhammad Ali fought everyone in their prime, and that’s why boxing became so big.
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“In the 80s, boxing was all over network TV, with [strong] ratings. Why? Because in the previous generation, Ali did what Ali did.
“He didn’t win every fight, but he took on every tough opponent – the biggest risk he could find.
“George Foreman, Ken Norton, the way he did it is the way a champion does it. He was not bigger than the sport. He didn’t act that way.
“Everybody looks at him [Ali] as the greatest of all time, for multiple reasons. You have a responsibility when you’re at that level. It’s not, ‘You’re at that level, take advantage of it.’”
Ali is considered arguably the greatest boxer of all-time having left a legacy of brilliance inside and outside of the ring, touching gloves with his fellow greats regularly in his career.
It is likely no-one will reach his legacy ever in the sport, but Canelo is making his own strides to go down in the history books.
The 33-year-old is still fighting some truly fierce competitors, but is not keen on the fight with Benavidez – insisting he would need to be paid in excess of $150million [£120m].
His potential rival’s team indicated a $55m [£44m] offer had been tabled to the 168lbs champion, but Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso denied the claim.
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News Summary:
- Canelo Alvarez accused of disrespecting Muhammad Ali’s legacy over David Benavidez fight
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