Two years ago, the worlds of MMA and boxing collided when former UFC welterweight champion Kamru Usman called out boxing icon Canelo Alvarez. The bold challenge of the interview sent shock waves through both games. “If you hear that war has been declared, everyone will know,” Usman declared confidently. However, while it sparked fierce online competition, despite the hype, the fight never happened. Since then, Usman has lost the title and suffered back-to-back defeats. But in a recent podcast, Osman finally got a chance to clear the air with Alvarez, revealing the true motivations behind the challenge.
On a recent episode of the podcast, Kamaru Osman sat down with fellow host and friend Henry Cejudo for a candid chat with Canelo Alvarez and Osman wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room, and began praising Alvarez for his efforts to elevate champions worldwide To the winner he expressed his respect.
“When I was the UFC welterweight champion, ruling my division, and you were doing the same thing in boxing, there was talk of us possibly facing each other,” Usman said, reflecting on the moment about “You were on top of the world, and the question is, Who can challenge you? That’s when I threw my hat into the theater. It wasn’t about hatred; It was about challenging yourself against the best. I hope there are no hard feelings.”
Usman’s Challenge to Sovereignty
From 2015 to 2021, Kamaru Osman was unstoppable in the UFC, amassing a 15-fight winning streak and earning a reputation as one of the sport’s most dangerous fighters His success inside the Octagon gave him the confidence to challenge fighter Alvarez at his peak career. And Osman’s challenge wasn’t just going to make headlines; It was about someone appearing against the myth. “Everything was controlled, and I thought, ‘Why not give him another challenge?’” Usman explained, although the fight never happened, but the two competitors have established respect.
Canelo Alvarez’s Heroic Act and Dana White’s Reaction
While the Osman-Alvarez fight is a what-if scenario, Canelo Alvarez isn’t backing down from his heroics in the fight world. His recent decision to schedule a fight with Edzer Berlanga on Sept. 14, the same night as UFC 306, has sparked controversy. The fight, set to take place just 2 miles from The Sphere, has infuriated UFC President Dana White, who has spilled the resources necessary for UFC 306 to succeed
White didn’t quit when dealing with the situation in July. “Canelo is one of those guys I respect, but Haymon stole that date from me right away,” White gushed. “The guys at MGM have looked down on the UFC for 20 years. That’s what it is. Now, we need to make the process even bigger. I need everyone behind me.”
What’s next for Usman and Alvarez?
While Kamaru Osman seems to have put his rivalry with Canelo Alvarez on hold, it’s unclear if his desire to face him in the ring remains. With a newfound respect for each other, fans wonder if a long-rumored fight between them could finally become a reality. With both fighters making their legacy, the prospect of a fight remains an incredible sight.
