By Robbie Bannatyne: Boxing is a business, a sport where financial imperatives take precedence over the principles of elite athletic competition where the best should be duty bound to face the best.
The murky waters of the boxing world were muddied further with the news that Canelo has vacated his WBC middleweight title, in what seems to many, a naked attempt to navigate his way around a fight with mandatory challenger, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.
The sad thing is, no-one is really shocked or surprised that Canelo, one of the more willing modern ring warriors, has relinquished his title in favor of facing Golovkin in his next fight. It is the consensus opinion of the boxing world that a clash between Canelo and Golovkin is the best fight that can be made in boxing. Why then, instead of lambasting Canelo’s decision are most boxing insiders giving the Mexican superstar a congratulatory slap on the back for a wise ‘business’ choice. Seen though the risk-reward prism of promoters, Canelo is a shrewd business strategist, in the eyes of the fans he is a blatant ducker. It sure looks that way anyway.
The only way Canelo and Golden Boy can reconcile this difference in opinion is if he fights Gennady Golovkin now, and not ’12-18 months’ down the line. The bout does not need to ‘marinate’ any longer. It has already been on the boil for far too long.
The very notion of champions relinquishing their titles to avoid their closest challengers would be ridiculous in other sports. Can you imagine Novak Djokovic declining the chance to defend his Wimbledon crown because he doesn’t fancy facing Andy Murray in front of his home crowd? Or Rory McIllroy dropping out the Scottish Open because Jordan Spieth is on a particularly hot streak? No, neither can I.
Unfortunately professional prizefighting operates on a different level of reality. A realm in which every athletic risk must be forensically counter-balanced by the potential financial reward. I understand and even applaud this to a point. I’m of the opinion that any man who makes a living punching and being punched by other men in the face should be compensated handsomely for his endeavors. I really do.
What I can’t stand is the bold talk of fighters and their promoters/managers being completely betrayed by their actions. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but I very much doubt that Canelo will face Golovkin in his next fight. If he was going to get aboard the GGG Express next then why would he relinquish the prestigious WBC middleweight title?
If boxing is a business, then we as fans must begin to think in business terms as well. As much I love Canelo as a fighter, it is time for boxing fans to call Golden Boy’s bluff and boycott any Canelo fight that does not involve GGG in the opposing corner.
A salesman by trade, I know when someone is trying to flog me a dead horse. A blind man can see that Golden Boy Promotions is blatantly blocking a GGG and Canelo contest. The visually impaired and intellectually challenged can also see that the hulking Canelo, who rehydrates to at least 170lb’s on fight night, is definitely a middleweight.
Enough is enough. No more free passes for Canelo. No more blind acceptance of Alvarez bullying much smaller men. Pay to see Canelo face fighters his own size or keep your money in your pocket. Boxing may be business, but the fans have the power to force Canelo and Golden Boy to see what they are doing is bad for business.
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