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Canelo ‘exploits public opinion’, says former world champion

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Canelo Alvarez defends his unified super middleweight world titles against Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on Saturday Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

Canelo Alvarez was criticized by Paulie Malignaggi for his choice of opponent. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
Canelo Alvarez was criticized by Paulie Malignaggi for his choice of opponent. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Paulie Malignaggi has slammed Canelo Alvarez for “exploiting public opinion” ahead of Saturday’s fight with Edgar Berlanga.

Canelo will defend his three super middleweight world titles when he fights Berlanga on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight will be broadcast on Amazon Prime and DAZN on pay-per-view for $89.99 in the US.

Berlanga, who will be fighting for a world title for the first time, enters the fight as an underdog with odds of at least 10/1 to dethrone the four-division world champion. Malignaggi believes the fight is too pricey given his perceived lack of competitiveness.

“It’s a joke,” the 43-year-old said. CanadaCasino.

Canelo Alvarez defends his unified super middleweight world titles against Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions
Canelo Alvarez defends his unified super middleweight world titles against Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

“It’s a complete joke that you can make people pay to watch something like pay-per-view.

“And I don’t want to criticize Edgar, you want to be chosen for this role.

“It’s a lot of money, but honestly, man – you [Canelo] You’re the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world, and yet you’ve been avoiding fights with your top rivals for years.”

Alvarez was criticized for withdrawing from competition following his loss to Dmitry Bivol in a May 2022 WBA lightweight heavyweight title fight.

The 34-year-old has won four fights over the 1,000-mile distance since then, and has not recorded a single stoppage win since stopping Caleb Plant to become the undisputed super middleweight champion in 2021.

The Mexican superstar has been sceptical about his much-anticipated fight with David Benavidez, with former world champion Malignaggi believing his retirement is approaching.

“I expect Canelo to continue what he has been doing so far: exploiting public opinion,” he added.

“I don’t see him fighting anyone who has a chance of defeating him.

Canelo and Berlanga face off ahead of Saturday's clash Photo: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions
Canelo and Berlanga face off ahead of Saturday’s clash Photo: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

“Normally I would have no problem with that – Chávez Sr. went on a retirement tour towards the end of his career – but at least he respected the world championship and fought the best while he had it.

“And then, when he lost the World Championship, he went on his retirement tour. I have no problem with that. It’s all about respect for the sport.

“That is why Chávez is and will always remain a legend.

“But Canelo is taking advantage of the situation – he has the belt hostage, but he is trying to do a retirement tour where he will consistently avoid the best fighters.

“He’s done it consistently. And he’ll probably continue to do it.

“There’s no reason he shouldn’t do it since he’s already done it.

“He’s not going to suddenly change his mind and say, ‘Oh, I’ve been using public opinion. Now let me fight the best of them.’

“I think he’ll end up fighting Chris Eubank. I think that’s the kind of name you’ll see attached to Canelo after that fight.”

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UK Boxing

Daniel Dubois Accused of ‘Two Illegal Punches’ Before Anthony Joshua Knockout

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Eddie Hearn has made accusations against Daniel Dubois, claiming he threw two illegal punches during his fight with Anthony Joshua.

Despite being knocked out in the fifth round by Dubois, Hearn pointed out moments where Dynamite seemed to overreact, most notably claiming that Joshua was hit “in the testicles” in the third or fourth round of the fight, which took place on Saturday night.

He expressed his frustration that Joshua did not take full advantage of the time available to him to recover, but also praised Dubois for the decisive victory.

Hearn summed up Joshua’s resilience after the knockout: “I told him he must be proud that he even made it back in the fight because after the second round, for me, the fight was over, it was over.

“Even after the last knockout, he’s trying to get back up.”

The Matchroom boss added: “He couldn’t have tried to do one more inch. When you do that, you can look yourself in the mirror. He came to the end in the trenches. People want to talk about getting down on one knee and spitting out the mouthguard.”

Hearn further stated that the unfortunate low blows could have been due to inexperience, saying: “Listen, when Daniel Dubois hit him in the balls in the third or fourth round, I was yelling at AJ to take the full five minutes.

“It’s actually a bit of inexperience. At that moment, when he couldn’t stand, he was hit full force in the chestnuts.

“He told the referee, ‘It’s all right, let’s go,’ and I said, ‘What are you doing?’ Then it happened again. He just came out to fight tonight. It was a hell of a fight. As devastated as we are, Daniel deserves a lot of credit.”

“Tonight is his coronation night. Without being elevated to interim champion, tonight is the night he showed he is a true world champion. He also has a great future ahead of him.

“Of course I still want to fight. We tried to succeed and we failed. Do we run away now or live to fight another day? I am a warrior. Always walk with your head held high.

“We’ve rolled the dice. It’s 13 world title fights, not all of them have been successful but they’ve all been fun and entertaining. We want to make history in British boxing and I think we’re doing that.”

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UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua shows off seconds before Daniel Dubois crashes in fresh footage

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Anthony Joshua showed courage and determination to fight Daniel Dubois all the way to the fifth round, and his belief that he could come back and win the fight was evident right up until the final moment he was put on the mat.

Joshua’s plan went to waste when he was floored by a powerful right hook from Dubois in the first round. According to his promoter, Eddie Hearn, from that point on he fought with “heart” and showed it in spades.

Further knockdowns followed in the third and fourth rounds, and it took Dubois quite a while to finish the job against the resilient AJ.

The knockout blow came in the fifth round, and boxing fans around the world and the 96,000 spectators at Wembley were stunned by the blow that sent Joshua crashing to the ground with greater force than ever before.

Crowd footage circulating on social media show the moments leading up to Dubois’ devastating right hook from a fresh angle. And 16 seconds before it landed, with his back against the wall, Joshua showed off by glaring and sticking his tongue out at a spectator.

The 34-year-old initially showed off his confidence by landing a precise right punch on Dubois. But when he moved in, the fight was over for good.

Sensing an opportunity and moving forward, AJ landed a hook, but before it could land, Dubois’ tiny, pointed punch connected right to the chin. The 27-year-old defended his IBF heavyweight title, although he may have to fight Joshua again to retain it.

“I think he’ll exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s for sure,” Hearn told Matchroom shortly after. “He’ll need some rest, it’s a unsafe fight, he’s just gaining confidence all the time.

“He’ll believe he can hurt Dubois, he’ll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit, it was a great performance.”

Hearn continued at the post-fight press conference: “I think 2025 is going to be an fascinating year for Anthony Joshua, one way or another, but he’s definitely going to come back and whether it’s a fight with Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, whoever, you’re going to have a good time.”

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UK Boxing

Tyson Fury Gets His Wish As Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois Fight Predictions Are Exact

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Tyson Fury was sitting ringside at Wembley Stadium as Daniel Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their IBF heavyweight title fight – and got the result he wanted.

Dubois (22-2) entered the fight as the champion but was still considered an underdog, knocking down Joshua (28-4) four times in the first four rounds before ending the fight less than a minute into the fifth.

Fury I felt the fight would end in a knockout, and he got his wish when he saw the result as a fan at ringside. Before the fight he said, “I think it’s a tough fight for both guys, they’re going to be hitting each other and it could go either way.

Although Fury was unsure who would win the fight, he predicted excitement: “It’s not a foregone conclusion[of who will win; they’re both heavy punchers and could knock each other out][ktowygra;obajsąmocnymipięściarzamiimoglibysięnawzajemznokautować[ofwhowillwin;they’rebothheavypunchersandcouldknockeachotherout

“I can’t wait for the fight. The real winners are the ones who come and watch people beat each other up.

“I’m going as a fan and I don’t have any percentages for either one; whoever wins, wins. I’m sure it’ll be an thrilling fight as long as it lasts, if there’s not a knockout either way I’ll be disappointed.”

“Opportunity can come to Daniel, you don’t know what role the crowd can play in the fight, but in my experience in a boxing fight you’re there and it’s a fight, and it’s like Donkey Kong.”

Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, 2024 in a rematch of their May fight. Usyk handed Fury his first defeat as a professional boxer, becoming the sport’s first undisputed champion since 1999.

If Usyk were to win, Dubois could challenge him to a fight in 2025 to settle the undisputed heavyweight title once and for all. However, the Ukrainian defeated Dubois last year, albeit after controversy after Dubois’ body blow that floored Usyk was ruled a low blow.

“I’m fighting for all the glory, for me I’m a hunter and I have to hunt,” Dubois said after defeating Joshua. “It’s been a journey and I’m grateful to be in this position. I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior until the bitter end. I want to reach the pinnacle of this sport and reach my full potential.”

When asked who he would like to fight next, Dubois replied: “All the best, maybe Usyk, that’s a huge chance for me to redeem myself, but anyone can do it.”

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