[Boxing]: Info and Prediction Thread

[Kemarit]

I think it is strange that Canelo is avoiding fights with top contenders like Morrell and Benavidez. Instead he is choosing to fight others like Berlanga. This makes me wonder if Canelo really wants to be best champion.

If he keeps avoiding top fighters WBA and WBC should take away his titles. It would be great to see Morrell and Benavidez fight each other or move up to new weight class which could lead to some exciting matches. Fans want to see best fighters compete against each other and it is disappointing that Canelo is not doing that.

Those sanctioning bodies are on Canelo's side because whether we like it or not, Canelo still a cash cow on their eyes lol. Saudi Arabia's boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh is offering Canelo to fight Crawford which for me an easy task for him to accomplish since the latter is already 36 years old and have a smaller frame compared to him. Not a fight fans wanted but at least we could see what Crawford could offer in  front of Canelo.

I don't think that we are going to see a Crawford vs Canelo fight in the future as per Turki Alalshikh. For sure he might have seen that Crawford will be at a big disadvantage at 168 lbs.

And that post of Turki Alalshikh and then what Canelo said after that. Canelo though can say that against Turki Alalshikh because he is the cash cow and he had amassed big money fights. But what Turki Alalshikh is saying is true, we all know that after Canelo lost to Bivol, he chooses easy and less risk fights but still get the money that he wanted.

[bisdak40]

I think it is strange that Canelo is avoiding fights with top contenders like Morrell and Benavidez. Instead he is choosing to fight others like Berlanga. This makes me wonder if Canelo really wants to be best champion.

If he keeps avoiding top fighters WBA and WBC should take away his titles. It would be great to see Morrell and Benavidez fight each other or move up to new weight class which could lead to some exciting matches. Fans want to see best fighters compete against each other and it is disappointing that Canelo is not doing that.

Those sanctioning bodies are on Canelo's side because whether we like it or not, Canelo still a cash cow on their eyes lol. Saudi Arabia's boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh is offering Canelo to fight Crawford which for me an easy task for him to accomplish since the latter is already 36 years old and have a smaller frame compared to him. Not a fight fans wanted but at least we could see what Crawford could offer in  front of Canelo.

I don't think that we are going to see a Crawford vs Canelo fight in the future as per Turki Alalshikh. For sure he might have seen that Crawford will be at a big disadvantage at 168 lbs.

And that post of Turki Alalshikh and then what Canelo said after that. Canelo though can say that against Turki Alalshikh because he is the cash cow and he had amassed big money fights. But what Turki Alalshikh is saying is true, we all know that after Canelo lost to Bivol, he chooses easy and less risk fights but still get the money that he wanted.

Thanks for the info mate, i really thought that the offer of his excellency Turki Alalshikh is still on. Yeah, i remember Canelo saying that it would take around $200-300 million for him to fight in Saudi Arabia and maybe that statement hurt the ego of Turki Alalshikh.

Canelo is on a downhill of his career that is why he chooses easy fight but the money is almost the same.

[Kemarit]

Anyone see this?

https://x.com/dantheboxingman/status/1826704567666721042

We all know that Brian Norman has been put as the WBO welterweight champion as they have stripped Bud Crawford since Bud has move up in weight and now their interim champion.

And with that, it leaves one of the champion in Boots Ennis to fight Brian Norman for unification. But it seems that Boots Ennis or at least his father doesn't want to fight Brian Norman at this point. And probably will fight his mandatory face before fighting any of the champion at 147 lbs. Does it make sense for Boots to duck Brian Norman?

[bisdak40]

Anyone see this?

https://x.com/dantheboxingman/status/1826704567666721042

We all know that Brian Norman has been put as the WBO welterweight champion as they have stripped Bud Crawford since Bud has move up in weight and now their interim champion.

And with that, it leaves one of the champion in Boots Ennis to fight Brian Norman for unification. But it seems that Boots Ennis or at least his father doesn't want to fight Brian Norman at this point. And probably will fight his mandatory face before fighting any of the champion at 147 lbs. Does it make sense for Boots to duck Brian Norman?

Maybe Team Ennis want to maximize the moment of him being a champion hehe. I mean, if he go directly to a unification fight and lost then that's it for him while if he fought a mandatory as that fight is very winnable then after fight Brian Norman for a unification fight, whatever happens at least he has been a champion for a longer time hehe.

Kidding aside, maybe there is an issue on the money on why the older Ennis refuses to fight Norman.

[Kemarit]

Anyone see this?

https://x.com/dantheboxingman/status/1826704567666721042

We all know that Brian Norman has been put as the WBO welterweight champion as they have stripped Bud Crawford since Bud has move up in weight and now their interim champion.

And with that, it leaves one of the champion in Boots Ennis to fight Brian Norman for unification. But it seems that Boots Ennis or at least his father doesn't want to fight Brian Norman at this point. And probably will fight his mandatory face before fighting any of the champion at 147 lbs. Does it make sense for Boots to duck Brian Norman?

Maybe Team Ennis want to maximize the moment of him being a champion hehe. I mean, if he go directly to a unification fight and lost then that's it for him while if he fought a mandatory as that fight is very winnable then after fight Brian Norman for a unification fight, whatever happens at least he has been a champion for a longer time hehe.

Kidding aside, maybe there is an issue on the money on why the older Ennis refuses to fight Norman.

No mate, that is a good speculation I believed. Yeah, perhaps Ennis just want his stock to get higher first before looking to fight Brian Norman. But I think for Norman though, he is very happy to be relegated to a full champion and so he wants all the smoke at this division, including a unification fight for Ennis.

And Ennis has been saying that he is taking the division, so definitely he will be the target by Brian Norman. However, I would like other division as well to follow what the WBO did here, stripped of Bud Crawford because he doesn't want to fight the mandatory or interim champion. But so far, only the WBO has the balls to do it.

[Baofeng]

^^ It's all about the money though, that's why Ennis or his father doesn't want Norman as this time. He could be a threat or what, but we all know that each boxer is trying to built up their career and so they might pick an easy fight first. Although if they are going to be upset, then all this money will be gone.

Just like the build up on AJ vs Wilder way back, even before the pandemic. But when AJ was upset by Andy Ruiz and then Wilder losing to Fury, then the fight didn't work as plan for them to have a mega fight and then now Wilder is done already.

[Zed0X]

~
However, I would like other division as well to follow what the WBO did here, stripped of Bud Crawford because he doesn't want to fight the mandatory or interim champion. But so far, only the WBO has the balls to do it.

Yeah, that would be nice. Nobody should hold the division because the defending champ is picky or wants more benefit from the mandatory fight. Unfortunately, most fight organizers are willing to bend their own rules for the sake of more ticket sales and sponsorships.

[Baofeng]

~
However, I would like other division as well to follow what the WBO did here, stripped of Bud Crawford because he doesn't want to fight the mandatory or interim champion. But so far, only the WBO has the balls to do it.

Yeah, that would be nice. Nobody should hold the division because the defending champ is picky or wants more benefit from the mandatory fight. Unfortunately, most fight organizers are willing to bend their own rules for the sake of more ticket sales and sponsorships.

Yes, no one should held a belt hostage for a long time, but as you have said, organizations are corrupt like WBC and they don't want to stripped their champions right away, like Canelo and Crawford.

So we might see them having interim champions at best and wait if Crawford will go down to 147 lbs to fight his mandatories or not or fight the interim champion.

[Kemarit]

In another update:

Matchroom are continuing their efforts to make a unification fight between Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Brian Norman Jr.

https://www.boxingscene.com/eddie-hearn-still-talking-make-boots-ennis-brian-norman-jr--185616

So for now, it's really hard on who to believed, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom says that they are pursuing a unification fight. On the other hand Norman says that Ennis doesn't want to fight him.

And that they have sent Top Rank, Norman's manager a contract, so it means there are offers already not once but twice. So let's see, they have a date of November so we will have to wait if they can sit down and talk and agree to the details of the fight.

[Kemarit]

And speaking of WBO, they are now ordering the fight between Fundora and Crawford,

The World Boxing Organization on Wednesday ordered World Boxing Association belt holder Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) to meet Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), declaring that the sides have 30 days to strike an agreement or the bout will be sent to purse bid.

https://www.boxingscene.com/wbo-orders-terence-crawford-face-sebastian-fundora--185627

So most likely in the next month, we will see if there will be an agreement between the two sides or both promoters of this fighters will have to go to purse bid and so with other promotions as well.

However, regardless of who is going to win the bid, still going to be a great fight and boxing fans are waiting for this kind of unification or at least interim (Crawford) vs regular champion (Fundora).

I think Crawford will be the slight favorite in this fight and it could happen as early as next year or maybe December end of this year.

[Jating]

^^ I will very much going to favor Crawford in this fight. And I think Crawford like this kind of match up, we have seen him though struggles at 154 lbs but he survived the baptism of fire against Madrimov, so I think he will be find in this division. But he could be running out of time to unified a 3rd division. But the odds will not be huge, probably Crawford by 1.6x and then Fundora by 2.2x. Let's wait, it could be at the end of the year and it could have been the happenings of a fight of the year and they go back and forth but in the end, the hands of Crawford is going to be raised.

[Baofeng]

^^ I will very much going to favor Crawford in this fight. And I think Crawford like this kind of match up, we have seen him though struggles at 154 lbs but he survived the baptism of fire against Madrimov, so I think he will be find in this division. But he could be running out of time to unified a 3rd division. But the odds will not be huge, probably Crawford by 1.6x and then Fundora by 2.2x. Let's wait, it could be at the end of the year and it could have been the happenings of a fight of the year and they go back and forth but in the end, the hands of Crawford is going to be raised.

Right, I think Crawford is still going to be the favorite in any fight of him, except maybe against Canelo but it's not going to happen after his not so good performance at 154 lbs.

But still though, we should give him credit and also the WBO for forcing this fight and I think neither boxer are going to say no for this mega-fight. Specially for Fundora, he had a break through year when he beat Tszyu and now maybe getting another career payday as he is the champion and Crawford the interim.

[Kemarit]

Berlanga said in this interview that he might not stay at 168 lbs for good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvsokshsts8

Although his plan is to unify all the belts at 168 lbs, and then it will only happen if he beats this version of Canelo Alvarez. And then rematch him (so there is rematch clause after all). But after that, he will go on the last belt as Canelo was stripped of. So let's see he seems to be very relaxed and positive that he will win against Canelo.

[Jating]

Berlanga said in this interview that he might not stay at 168 lbs for good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvsokshsts8

Although his plan is to unify all the belts at 168 lbs, and then it will only happen if he beats this version of Canelo Alvarez. And then rematch him (so there is rematch clause after all). But after that, he will go on the last belt as Canelo was stripped of. So let's see he seems to be very relaxed and positive that he will win against Canelo.

He seems to be overlooking Canelo here, it is not a sign of a good boxer, yeah, he could be taking about his plans, but he still a lot of works cut for him as he will be facing Alvarez in the next week or so.

As for moving in 175 lbs, still another dangerous weight class for him, there are a lot of big guys out there and then we have a unified champion fight between Bivol vs Beterbiev. Morrell has plans to move up as well and so is David Benavidez who already fought at LHW. So many good names to face at 175 lbs and so it's going to be messy for Berlanga. Might as well stay as 168 lbs for some time face Munguia and continue the PR vs Mexico rivalry.

[Themepen]

He seems to be overlooking Canelo here, it is not a sign of a good boxer, yeah, he could be taking about his plans, but he still a lot of works cut for him as he will be facing Alvarez in the next week or so.

As for moving in 175 lbs, still another dangerous weight class for him, there are a lot of big guys out there and then we have a unified champion fight between Bivol vs Beterbiev. Morrell has plans to move up as well and so is David Benavidez who already fought at LHW. So many good names to face at 175 lbs and so it's going to be messy for Berlanga. Might as well stay as 168 lbs for some time face Munguia and continue the PR vs Mexico rivalry.

I think Berlanga is making mistake by not taking Canelo seriously. He has hard fight against Alvarez coming up and should focus on that. Moving up to 175 pounds is also bad idea. There are many strong boxers in that weight class like yiu mentioned Bivol.. Beterbiev.. Morrell.. and Benavidez. It is a tough division and Berlanga might struggle.

It would be better for Berlanga to stay at 168 pounds and fight Munguia. This would let him keep fighting in  rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico and gain more experience before moving up in weight. Berlanga should focus on what is happening now and not think too far ahead. He still has a lot to prove in boxing.