The ongoing debate over Canelo Alvarez’s fight options has been fueled by scathing criticism from Saudi Arabian adviser and promoter Turki Alalshikh. Alal Shikh, known for promoting high-level boxing, accused Alvarez of shunning tough opponents in favor of lesser fighters. The criticism adds to the growing bandwidth discontent surrounding the upcoming Alvarez fight.
Alvarez’s Upcoming Performance
Canelo Alvarez is set to face Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas, a matchup that has attracted considerable scrutiny. The bout will take place on the same night as UFC 306, and will feature UFC CEO Dana White. White criticized the scheduling conflict, saying it was ruining the UFC’s event. Adding to the controversy, Alvarez’s fierce opponent Conor McGregor sarcastically called him “a piece of chicken,” adding to the controversy.
Alalshikh’s Dissatisfaction with Alvarez
Turkish Alalshikh’s recent comments on social media have escalated the situation. Alalshikh expressed disappointment with the way Alvarez conducted the qualifying fight, accusing him of deliberately avoiding challenges from his opponents. “I heard what Canelo said: he respects me but he doesn’t like the way we work. With respect to him, I don’t care if he does or not. When I do trade I know why he doesn’t like it, because I only target big fights at reasonable prices, so anyone who likes easy fights definitely doesn’t want it ,” Allashikh posted.
Alalshikh’s Critique of Alvarez’s Recent Performance
Alalshikh’s criticism is based on the belief that Alvarez sets his price from marquee matchups to sideline tough opponents. This criticism follows Alvarez’s recent loss to WBA lightweight champion Dmitri Bivol in May 2022. Since then, Alvarez has regained four consecutive victories, including notable victories over Gennady Golovkin, Jermell Charlo and Jaime Munguia Despite this, Alshikh argues for Alvarez’s next fight The choice of opponent Edgar Berlanga indicates a preference for a less intense fight.
Alalshikh’s Role in Major Boxing Matches
Turkish Allashikh has been a driving force behind the promotion of important boxing events. His Riyadh season promotion was a recent event at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, featuring Terrence Crawford against Israel Madrimov. Alalshikh has also played a key role in organizing the Francis Nganno fights with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, as well as Fury’s recent championship clash with Oleksandr Usic and his efforts have earned him a reputation for staging high-profile fights and shaping the boxing development landscape.
Canelo Alvarez’s Next Challenge
Despite the controversy, Canelo Alvarez is one of the best in the boxing world. His upcoming defense of the super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga is highly anticipated. With a career record of 65 fights, including just two losses and just two draws, Alvarez is the most important draw in the sport. But his choice of opponents and the implications for his legacy are now subjects of scrutiny and debate.
As Alvarez prepares for his next fight, criticism from the likes of Allashikh highlights the ongoing debate over fairness and competitiveness in boxing. Alvarez’s career trajectory and the choices he makes moving forward will be closely watched by fans and critics alike. The boxing community is eager to see if Alvarez addresses these concerns or continues down his current path.
