“I feel happy because he knows everything. That was coming from him, who has been and done everything, so I feel special. I feel good. I’m here to make history, and that’s it, and I’m going to continue to do it,” Canelo said 

Mayweather had suffered similar criticism during his career. The five-division champion’s accomplishments were played down due to various factors. There were suggestions that Mayweather did not face fighters in their prime. The fight with Manny Pacquiao came much later than it should have happened.

The 2015 bout was a one-sided affair as Mayweather won a unanimous decision. While Mayweather beat his biggest rival, the win was downplayed. There were suggestions that Pacman was not 100 percent as he injured his shoulder in the fight.

In addition, Pacman was no longer at his peak, having lost bouts to Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez. However, the fight earned Mayweather around $300 million, showing that making fans wait can pay off. Canelo may be doing something similar.

Mayweather Reacts

“Everything in life is about timing. I have no regrets that this fight didn’t take place five years ago [negotiations actually started in 2009]. I didn’t think it was that big then but it continued to get bigger and bigger. Not just in boxing but outside of the sport. Pacquiao [who is 36] has continued to grow outside of the sport.

“We didn’t need to rush anything. This was a difficult fight to make happen but we made it happen. This fight is one of the biggest ever in boxing. The timing is right. This fight is about legacy, fans and family,” Mayweather said

But Canelo does face one big risk if he continues to wait. Benavidez may enter his prime and become much more difficult to beat since Canelo is not getting any younger. There is also the suggestion that the fight will no longer be appealing if Canelo or Benavidez lose. Boxing fans were shown this when Deontay Wilder lost to Joseph Parker, no longer making the Anthony Joshua fight viable. Canelo and Benavidez will have to be wary of that.

Comments