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Crawford is an opponent of Canelo – and boxing fans – they need

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Another fight of Canelo Alvarez and another opponent who did not want to engage him, led to the disappointing night in which the boxing super star won, but the fans lost.

Again.

This alarming trend must stop and I hope that Terenka Crawford will force Canelo to fight because fans deserve something better.

Unfortunately, Canelo brought it.

The unanimous victory in the Canelo decision (119-109, 116-112 and 115-113) over William Scull on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was the last in his last series of fights without drama or emotions. In the fight against Scull, Canelo threw a total of 152 blows. This number is the first of the first blows thrown into the 12-round fight in the 40-year compubox history. This is fatal, even according to low Canelo output standards. However, he was in the ring with a warrior who was not interested in winning and just wanted to survive, because Scull was approaching the ring and landed 55 out of 293 blows. Nothing that landed had no consequences, and Canelo was not remotely threatened by the previously undefeated Szula.

The reality is that Canelo deserved it.

Because in May 2022 he lost to Dmitryjum Bivol, Canelo spent the last three years, loading his bank account, fighting with a smaller opposition and leaving fans who wanted more. He received a pass for fighting the aging Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin two years too overdue, and following her back home against John Ryder. Then, however, he is expected that he will have more than a distinguished David Benavidez, a compulsory pretender WBC. Instead, Canelo decided to fight the undersized and filled Jermell Charlo and unjustified opponents of Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlang. There will be those who say that Canelo had to fight Scull to become unquestioned again and blame IBF for installing an unverified warrior as a compulsory opponent, but it’s only half true. The reality is that Canelo can do what she wants, and the only real obligatory opponent (of course dictated by fans) was Benavidez. For any reason, Canelo did not want this fight. And here we are.

To be forthright, the fight with Jake Paul would be better than what we saw with Scull. Sure, Paul doesn’t deserve either, but would anyone doubt that he would at least win? In the end, Canelo was close to fighting Paweł before Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the general entertainment authority of Saudi Arabia, he could not refuse with the Canelo offer.

This trend would not be so bad if Canelo provided exhilarating fights. Instead, his last trips seemed too sheltered, choosing financial security before taking risks and sending opponents at a distance. He was too conservative. And even when he had opponents on the proverbial ropes, he apparently let them reach the last bell. His recent opponents south and did not try to win. And Canelo was nice enough to let them break away from several additional zeros on her bank account.

He will not have such a luxury against Crawford when they meet on September 12 at the Allegian stadium in Las Vegas.

Of course, Canelo will have a significant advantage of greatness, because Crawford – the undisputed champion in welterweight and welterweight – entered two consecutive weight classes to challenge him. But Crawford is one of the best fighters of this generation and has an average run that will not allow Canelo to a cruise to another decision. Instead, at some point, Canelo will have to bite his eraser and fight Crawford. This is something that we haven’t seen that Canelo has been doing Bivol since the fight. He spent the last three years in adored sparring sessions without a sense of danger.

At this stage of her career, Canelo needs a challenge that Crawford represents. He spent the first two -thirds of his career, charging his CVs with high quality names, but the last third saw how he avoided hard challenges, while depositing gigantic controls. And before you say he deserved that fans and critics also deserved to call him.

Although it can be great for Canelo, fans deserve it. The so -called “boxing face” should push the sport further into the mainstream. These fights work exactly the opposite.

The latest Canelo offer with the Riyadh season will continue to appear, but fans deserve to see one of the biggest boxers of this era in a hard fight.

And it should be a fight with Crawford.

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Boxing

Tim Bradley wonders if Inoue is tired of fighting

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Image: Tim Bradley Wonders if Inoue Is Becoming Battle-Worn

Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.

“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”


He also pointed out a recurring error in Inoue’s style, noting moments where the undisputed champion can be caught stepping in.

“He’s defenseless. He’s getting hit. That’s what it is,” Bradley said. “Like Nakatani.”

Bradley praised the way Nakatani uses his range and setup play, saying it all starts with his lead hand.

“It all depends on the leading hand and whether he can get his opponent into the action,” Bradley said. “He wants you to reach so he can teach.”

Still, Bradley sees Inoue as a more adaptable player and therefore can’t fully engage in an upset conversation.

“You can never predict. You look at Inoue’s fights and you see this guy doesn’t fight the same,” Bradley said. “He always adapts his game to the style he is dealing with.”

Bradley also questioned whether years of activity could compensate Inoue after his recent struggles.

“He was hit too tough,” Bradley said. “I wonder if he’s getting tired of fighting?”

Even with these concerns, Bradley expects both men to be in top shape should the fight happen.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, man,” Bradley said. “These guys are going to beat the living [expletive] from each other.”

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Categories Naoya Inoue

Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17

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Doubts are growing about Floyd Mayweather’s rematch with Manny Pacquiao

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Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 doubts clouds no word

Floyd Mayweather still has not confirmed his rematch with Manny Pacquiao, and his silence now raises grave doubts whether this fight will take place at all.

While Pacquiao and his team continue to push the idea that a second fight has been agreed, Mayweather has said nothing beyond suggesting that any return would be an exhibition and that his undefeated record is not in jeopardy.

This gap between the two sides has only widened, resulting in one version being shared publicly while the other remains absent.

Pacquiao insists the deal is done

Pacquiao has repeatedly said the contract is for a fully sanctioned professional fight, not an exhibition.

“The contract we signed is a real fight,” Pacquiao said. “It’s either a real fight or nothing.”

His team went further, maintaining that contracts had been signed and financial commitments made, and Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur provided those details in multiple interviews, including with World Boxing News.

At this stage, the message was clear – the fight had begun and it would be fought on fully professional terms.

Mayweather’s silence tells a different story

Mayweather’s position does not match this certainty.

The former five-weight world champion has not yet officially confirmed the rematch and only referred to the exhibition conditions when discussing a possible return to the professional ranks.

There has been no announcement from Mayweather Promotions, no official launch of the event, and no confirmation from any broadcaster despite reports linking Netflix to the project.

Even that element has gone silent, with no evident promotion or support to suggest that a major fight announcement is imminent.

Mathur, who spoke out during the initial rollout, has also withdrawn from public comments in recent weeks.

The famed Mayweather pattern

The situation mirrors previous instances where reports of fighting have gained popularity without ever being confirmed.

Earlier this year, a proposed exhibition featuring Mike Tyson followed a similar path, with a reported date circulating ahead of his departure, with neither man formally mentioning its status.

Mayweather has long maintained a consistent stance in situations like this.

“Nothing is confirmed unless you hear it here first,” he said throughout his career, a standard he maintained until the exhibition era.

Until confirmation comes directly from Mayweather, speculation alone will not be enough to make the fight real.

Unresolved, not imminent

Pacquiao’s position remains unchanged, and there is an expectation in his camp that the rematch will be conducted as a truly professional fight.

But without Mayweather publicly responding to these conditions, the situation remains unresolved – and increasingly questionable.

At this point the direction becomes clear.

Throughout the discussion surrounding the second meeting, only one side is actively driving the narrative, while the other has yet to take any action.

Until Floyd Mayweather says it himself, there is no fight – just one-sided noise.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Tim Bradley sums up Terence Crawford’s chances of beating the first Floyd Mayweather

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Tim Bradley sums up Terence Crawford’s chances of beating prime Floyd Mayweather

Terence Crawford or Floyd Mayweather? Hall of Fame player Tim Bradley only sees one winner.

Eight years after Mayweather retired undefeated, Crawford followed suit. The two shared many of the characteristics that define elite warriors. Both won titles in different weight classes and relied on IQ, timing and accuracy rather than outright aggression. It’s worth noting that they were able to adapt mid-fight and take away from their opponents what they do best without taking unnecessary risks.

They were also very different. Mayweather, especially in the later stages of his career, was almost entirely defensive and content to win rounds through control and minimal effort. “Bud” was more proactive and fan-friendly – ​​changing positions, increasing his efficiency and pushing for the finish when there was a chance.

It’s an intriguing clash of styles and a natural choice for a high-end fantasy fight ES Newsthe animated Bradley had no hesitation in predicting Crawford’s victory.

“Crawford!…He’s got too much power, man, too much power for Floyd. He’s as shrewd as [Floyd] Is. He has perfect timing. He can play both ways – Floyd doesn’t like to face southpaws. Damn, Zab Judah was getting his act together before he ran out of gas. I’ve been saying this for years, I have Crawford all day long.

Crawford was only respectful when asked about Mayweather, and even admitted he believed Floyd was the only fighter who could have caused him problems. This will remain one of the hottest intergenerational debates.

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