Canelo Alvarez Unleashes Fury on IBF: “I’m Not Here to Follow Orders, I Make the Rules!”
In a fiery outburst that has set the boxing world abuzz, Canelo Alvarez has taken aim at the International Boxing Federation (IBF) for stripping him of his super middleweight title. The Mexican superstar, known for his impressive achievements and magnetic presence, is not holding back as he challenges the IBF’s authority and defends his right to dictate his own career.
Alvarez vs. IBF: A Clash of Titans
Canelo Alvarez, a name synonymous with boxing excellence, has been at the center of a contentious dispute with the IBF. The organization’s recent decision to strip Alvarez of his super middleweight title has ignited a storm of controversy. The reason? Alvarez’s failure to face mandatory challenger William Scull. But Alvarez, who boasts a record of 61-2-2, is dismissive of Scull’s significance and the IBF’s ruling.
In a candid interview on ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game,’ Alvarez did not mince words. “The IBF says I need to fight this guy because of that. But who is William Scull? I’ve never even heard of him,” Alvarez declared. His frustration is palpable, as he believes that his extraordinary career accomplishments and star power should allow him to chart his own path.
The Guadalajara native said, “[Oscar] De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, everybody did this. There are stars and superstars, and they made the championship, not the championship made them.”
“The IBF [says], ‘Hey, you need to fight with this because this.’ Who’s [William] Scull? I never hear about him… I’m not gonna do whatever they want, I want to do what I want. In this position, I can do whatever I want. Because I deserve it, because of all I did,” Alvarez added.
Alvarez’s Defiant Stance: Making the Rules
Alvarez’s frustration is not merely about one fight but about the broader principle of how champions are treated. Drawing comparisons to boxing legends like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mike Tyson, Alvarez argued that true superstars make the championship, not the other way around. “Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson—these are stars who made the championship. The championship didn’t make them,” Alvarez asserted.
This declaration is more than just bravado; it’s a statement of his belief that his legacy and influence in the sport grant him the freedom to choose his opponents and career trajectory. For Alvarez, the IBF’s insistence on mandatory defenses feels like an affront to his status as the sport’s leading figure.
He declared, “Maybe other boxing matches, maybe, but Canelo is different. There are other kind of fights, but Canelo is just different. I don’t care if the UFC is there, when Canelo fights, it’s different.”
Confronting the Competition: Alvarez vs. Noche UFC
Adding to the drama is Alvarez’s upcoming fight against Edgar Berlanga, which will be held on the same night as UFC’s Noche UFC event. Despite the UFC’s significant promotional investment, Alvarez is confident in his drawing power. “Maybe other boxing matches have to worry about UFC, but Canelo is different,” he declared. “When Canelo fights, it’s a different level.”
Alvarez’s confidence is rooted in his unmatched popularity and the storied Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry that he hopes will drive the event’s success. With the fight set for September 14, Alvarez’s clash with Berlanga is expected to be a major event, drawing attention and fans despite the UFC’s simultaneous showcase.
Editor’s Insight
Canelo Alvarez’s bold response to the IBF’s decision reveals the tension between individual star power and institutional regulations. Alvarez’s insistence on charting his own course underscores a broader debate about the role of governing bodies in boxing. As he prepares for his bout with Edgar Berlanga, Alvarez remains undeterred, leveraging his immense popularity to challenge the status quo. The boxing world watches with bated breath, anticipating whether Alvarez’s star power can indeed eclipse the UFC’s high-profile event.
