Just a few years ago, there was some serious possibility of a crossover clash. This was between then-welterweight king and pound-for-pound best fighter Kamaru Usman and Canelo Alvarez. While that crossover super fight never materialized, the legendary Mexican star has no hard feelings. He recently sat down with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ to promote his upcoming boxing bout with Edgar Berlanga.
Despite weeks-long back-and-forth on social media, the online spat went nowhere. Consequently, there was no plan to settle the score either inside or outside the ring. Without a pro-sanction bout, they did not have enough juice to take it up anymore. Usman and Alvarez have finally come together to resolve their differences once and for all. Two years later – both acknowledge that they hold no animosity.
First and foremost, I’m a fan of yours and everything you’ve done in the sport of boxing…And you were in a spot where you were just dominating everybody to where the question was being asked ‘Who else can challenge this guy’ and at that moment, I threw my hand up.
Henry Cejudo via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
Canelo Alvarez understands Kamaru Usman’s desire to make such a bold call. It all boils down to the fact that the two share a champion’s mentality when taking on the most challenging situations. Case in point, his super middleweight title defense against Edgar Berlanga inside T-Mobile Arena clashes big with Noche UFC.
Nah, no hard feelings. I think this is that beautiful sport, you were the best in your sport, I’m the best in my sport and I respect that… We’re never going to know because we never made the fight…If I went in there with you in an MMA fight, it’s going to be different; if you come to my sport, it’s going to be different.
Canelo Alvarez via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
Kamaru Usman couldn’t help but smile as he admitted he hoped for the best fallout between the two. As for Alvarez, he quickly recognized that their bickering merely manifested how they competed head-on as the best in the sport.
Kamaru Usman hopes to be divisional champ Belal Muhammad’s first title defense. Both of them have plans to make it to the top bill of UFC 310 PPV in December. As for the boxer, while he never went to war, he still competes with UFC for now.
Sean O’Malley to ‘steal the headlines’ from Canelo Alvarez with ‘Sphere’ performance
Mexican Independence Day weekend features two mega fights: Boxing vs. UFC. Sean O’Malley is not only looking forward to fighting Merab Dvalishvili in Las Vegas. He’s also on the line against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, down the street from the Sphere at the T-Mobile Arena against Edgar Berlanga. Meanwhile, O’Malley headlines the Noche UFC PPV title headliner.
Canelo Alvarez fights Edgar Berlanga, and UFC (Source: Instagram)There’s already a pent-up issue with Dvalishvili suffering a face laceration just weeks away from the fight. There’s also the pressure of shouldering the event altogether. ‘Suga’ recently won the 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award based on his hard-hitting defense of the 135-pound gold. A celebratory brand event like this could propel him to unknown heights within the promotion.
The UFC isn’t the kind of company that welcomes competition in their yard. Especially when they’re going to shell out over 20 million extra dollars to put on a visual extravaganza. So far, ‘Notorious’ Conor Mcgregor has already come out and ripped Canelo, saying UFC would run his fight to the ground. Will O’Malley let him steal his thunder? The fighter says no.
💥🥊Sean O’Malley eager to see if he can steal the spotlight from Canelo Alvarez who both fight on a stacked weekend of Combat Sports
“When it comes to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, who are they talking about. Are they talking about Canelo, are they talking about the… pic.twitter.com/pADPqjED09
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 12, 2024
Taking Canelo on Mexican Independence Day weekend is a tough cookie. But there’s a way. Few people asked for Canelo vs. Berlanga, but more and more call it an easy fight. That could allow O’Malley to sneak in with a superstar performance if he beats the legitimate contender. ‘Suga’ loves the challenge ahead and promises to perform as such.
