4. Canelo Is Taking a Stand Against the WBC
Most recently Canelo made a statement to the press that if and when he fights Triple G the World Boxing Council (WBC) will not be a part of it. Moreover, he rejected a special belt created by the WBC for his current bout. His rationale? They unfairly stripped him of his belt last year by imposing a two-week deadline to make a fight with Triple G. Moreover, a special title belt created for the current bout was more about visibility and relevance for the WBC than the fighters. Add to that the huge sanctioning fees the WBC charges (said to be upwards of $200K), it’s not surprising Canelo will not play ball. And he’s not the first, as Miguel Cotto took the same stance in his last bout. While such a position is viewed favorably by the boxing community, as a stance against the politics and corruption that pervade the sport, it is a dangerous position to take. For in Mexico the WBC carries tremendous weight. Should there be a close decision in this or future Canelo bouts, some creative judging could occur that would not favor Canelo.
5. Triple G’s Got Next
As has been mentioned countless times before, should Canelo emerge victorious the consensus is that a bout with Triple G will finally occur in the Fall of 2017. Gennady Golovkin, is the unified middleweight champion. While he had effectively torn through every opponent in his division, he’s shown some vulnerabilities in his past two bouts against Kell Brook and Daniel Jacobs. Specifically, that he can be out boxed, provided you can withstand his punch. The winner is set to face Triple G next. However, don’t be surprised if that does not happen. While we think Canelo be game, his camp has also been evasive at best.
Reasons for relevance aside one thing can be certain come Saturday night, it will be a fight. In speaking to the press promoter Oscar De La Hoya probably said it best “there is not one fight can I remember where you have two Mexicans and they [gave] you a dull fight.”