via Imago
credit- Imago
via Imago
credit- Imago
Two years back former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman caused a stir in the combat sports world when he publically challenged boxing star Canelo Alvarez during a TMZ Sports interview. Usman boldly stated, “When you hear that that fight’s announced, everyone’s going to be watching that fight,” sparking a heated online rivalry between the two top pound-for-pound fighters. However, the fight never materialized, and Usman later lost his title and his next two fights. Now, the two fighters finally meet, not in the ring or the octagon, but this time in a podcast where Usman attempted to bury the past beef and reveal the real reason behind his challenge to Alvarez.
In a recent episode of their podcast Pound 4 Pound, Kamaru Usman sat with his co-host and friend Henry Cejudo, joined this time by multi-division boxing star Canelo Alvarez. As the podcast began, Usman took the initiative to ease the tension by pressing Alvarez’s efforts to elevate the standards of the champions of the world. Usman said, ” When I was champion in the UFC, I was the welterweight champion of the world. And you, dominating as champion in boxing, there were some talks about us potentially fighting. And you, dominating as champion in boxing, there were some talks about us potentially fighting.”
Kamaru Usman was once a force to be reckoned with inside the UFC. From 2015 to 2021, Usman delivered blockbuster performances and never lost a fight during that period, achieving a 15-fight winning streak. Thus, success gave him the confidence to call out Canelo Alvarez. The former champion revealed, “You were in a spot where you were dominating everybody, and the question was being asked: who else can challenge this guy? Is there anyone who has anything for him? So, at that moment, I threw my hat in the ring. I thought, ‘Let me at least give him a different look. I hope there’s no hard feelings..”
via Getty
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO – MARCH 14: Saul Canelo Alvarez poses with his belts during the press conference at Akron Stadium on March 14, 2023 in Zapopan, Mexico. Canelo Alvarez will fight against John Ryder on May 6, 12 years after his last combat in Mexico. The event will take place at Akron Stadium. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Even though the Alvarez-Usman fight never materialized, this isn’t the end. Now, Canelo Alvarez is looking to make a big splash by targeting the entire UFC at once. He has scheduled his next boxing fight for the same night as UFC 306, which will be held on the eve of Mexican Independence Day. This promoted UFC CEO Dana White to fire back.
Dana White took aim at Canelo Alvarez
UFC 306: Noche is just barely a month away and is being hailed as Dana White’s most anticipated event. The UFC has spent money like water to ensure its success, and everything seemed to be on track. However, Canelo Alvarez has thrown a wrench into the plans by scheduling his next boxing fight against Edger Berlanga on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena, just 2.0 miles from The Sphere.
This move boiled Dana White’s blood, and he struggled to maintain his composure when asked about it by ESPN in July. Dana White said, “Canelo’s one of those guys that I respect, and hey, Haymon snatched that date right away from me. The guys at MGM have done nothing but f*** disrespect me and the UFC for 20 years. It is what it is. Here we go.”
“So we just need to make it big, I need everybody behind me,” the UFC CEO concluded. Although Kamaru Usman has seemingly buried the hatchet with Canelo Alvarez, it remains unclear whether he still harbors a desire to face Alvarez in the ring. Given their renewed connection, it will be intriguing to watch if a fight between them is ever materialized.
Do you want to see the two fighters feature against each other in a bout? Let us know in the comments below.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Can Kamaru Usman really stand a chance against Canelo Alvarez in the boxing ring?