Welcome, boxing aficionados! Here we are at one of the few bastions of boxing that hasn’t been carted off to the Saudis in exchange for a pile of cash and a fancy watch. Today, we’re diving into some of the latest boxing buzz—Canelo’s Saudi dealings, the potential match-up of Keyshawn Davis vs. Andy Cruz, and the much-anticipated Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch.
Canelo in the Saudi Spotlight
Greetings, P Mag!
First off, I hope everything is going well with you and your loved ones. I really admire your dedication to speaking the truth, no matter the cost. It’s evident that you’re making waves in the industry.
Now, on to business. Canelo has inked a four-fight deal with Turki after all the drama. It seems he’s keen on cashing in before hanging up his gloves. However, this decision has me scratching my head. You once mentioned that PBC should distance itself from Canelo, but I never envisioned him aligning with Turki for a proverbial magic carpet ride. What’s your take on this?
– Big Rob
Hey Rob!
I appreciate your kind words.
As I touched on in my recent Notes from the Boxing Underground column, Canelo’s relevance has been waning in the past few years. For anyone aiming to make a substantial profit in the upper echelons of boxing, hitching onto Canelo’s train now makes little sense unless you’re leveraging his name to secure a broadcasting partner, like PBC seemed to do. The demands he makes and the unimpressive pay-per-view figures just aren’t worth it.
To rake in significant cash, he’d need a bankable opponent. Terence Crawford might’ve done the trick, but David Benavidez would’ve definitely filled that role. Unfortunately, Canelo seems uninterested in challenging himself anymore, making enticing a strong challenger into a B-side spot increasingly tricky. If PBC aims to remain viable, letting go of Canelo may turn out to be a silver lining. They could host four great events using the resources required for a single Canelo spectacle and pocket more of the profits.
The Saudis, meanwhile, are likely to face losses on Canelo—significant ones at that. However, they’re now aware that to make their boxing investments sustainable, they need the North American audience engaged. Canelo is their ticket to tapping into fans across this side of the globe, which remains a substantial source of boxing revenue.
From both sides’ perspectives in this Canelo-Saudi deal, I get the strategy, and I can’t fault a fighter for cashing in. Yet, as a viewer and analyst, Canelo’s allure has become rather dull. Whether he’s headlining in the Saudi "boxing zoo" or anywhere else, it doesn’t change that perception.
Keyshawn vs. Cruz
How about we set up Keyshawn Davis against Andy Cruz? Why not make it happen right now? Both fighters stand to gain a lot. Andy is nearing 30, and Keyshawn is 25. Given their Olympic history, it’s prime time for a rematch. Holding off until fighters are experienced enough for big matches should apply to those turning pro right out of high school.
I’m unsure of how long Andy Cruz’s team will market him as a prospect, acting as though he’s too young for serious competition, especially at 29. Is more development really necessary at this stage?
For Keyshawn, if it’s not a bout with Tank or Stevenson, facing Cruz seems like the perfect alternative.
– Na’-il Rahman
Hey Na’-il,
You’ve hit the nail on the head. Keyshawn Davis and Andy Cruz should indeed face off soon. It’s unnecessary to postpone when we’re dealing with lightweights, as there’s little benefit in delaying the fight three or four years. They’re both at the peak of their capabilities, and there won’t be a more opportune time for this clash to make sense competitively.
However, I suspect that Top Rank, seeing the monetary potential in Keyshawn, might be cautious in protecting their asset. Meanwhile, Matchroom might not be fully confident in Cruz’s ability to perform at the elite level just yet. I can understand the reasons for their hesitance.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol Rematch
Hi Paul,
It’s finally here. Beterbiev vs. Bivol. Who do you see coming out on top and how?
– Andrew
Hey Andrew,
I’ve shared my thoughts on this previously, but I see Beterbiev securing a more decisive victory in the rematch—assuming everything’s fair.
The first bout was very close, with Bivol having a slight edge initially but faltering towards the end, as Beterbiev appeared to outlast him in spirit. This second encounter could pick right where that one left off. However, the skeptic in me acknowledges the appeal of a Bivol victory for business purposes, enticing a trilogy. Should he manage to evade Beterbiev’s best and keep moving, a decision in his favor is possible.
In short, if it’s a straightforward bout, Beterbiev likely triumphs. But if there’s another agenda, it could swing Bivol’s way. If I were placing bets, I’d lean towards Beterbiev but wouldn’t be shocked if Bivol took it.
Got any questions, or even some criticisms for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The cream of the crop appears right here in the weekly mailbag at FightHype. Send your thoughts to: [email protected].
