Juan Laporte Pulls No Punches

August 12 marked the 43rd anniversary of the passing of Salvador Sánchez, a legend of Mexican boxing. A memorial mass was attended by family, friends, and former fighters, including Puerto Rican great Juan Laporte. While he was there to honor the featherweight champion, Laporte took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the current state of Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who is preparing for his September 13 showdown against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

Without holding back, Laporte delivered his criticism: “I know Canelo is a good boxer and all, but he needs to stop being soft. Fight whoever is ready to fight. People are waiting for him to face someone good. If not, step aside—you’ve already done what you needed to do. But if you have a legacy, you have to prove it.”

The Debate Over His Legacy

This is not the first time Canelo has faced scrutiny over his choice of opponents. Although he has fought champions and big names, some fans and analysts believe he avoids fighters in their prime. Laporte’s comments reignite that debate, especially with the Crawford fight shaping up to be one of the toughest challenges of his recent career.

Date and Broadcast of Canelo vs. Crawford

The fight between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence Crawford will take place on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be broadcast on Netflix, at no additional cost to subscribers.

The bout comes after Canelo’s victory over William Scull and will mark another chapter in the Mexican’s quest to expand his legacy. Now, with Laporte’s words hanging in the air, the question is whether fight night in Las Vegas will be enough to silence his critics—or if the debate will rage on.