Juan Manuel Márquez Becomes Public Enemy No. 1 for "Canelo" Álvarez
The highly anticipated clash between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, with a combined purse of $200 million, has already started heating up… outside the ring.
The Million-Dollar Fight and the Controversy
The upcoming showdown between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, not only for its sporting impact but also for the $200 million purse at stake. However, the real battle began before the first bell. For years, the WBC has been accused of favoring Canelo, seen as its biggest star and a guaranteed box office draw.
The criticism intensified when David Benavidez, the WBC’s mandatory challenger at super middleweight, never got his shot against the Mexican. Meanwhile, Canelo chose Crawford as his opponent, sparking questions about sporting fairness.
Márquez vs. Sulaimán: A Fiery Exchange
In an interview with ProBoxTV, Juan Manuel Márquez was blunt: “When a fighter decides who he fights, sports justice is violated. Many boxers wait for a legitimate opportunity and don’t get it because Canelo chooses his opponents.”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán quickly fired back, recalling old disputes with Márquez and suggesting his criticism stems from envy: “Don’t be envious, Juan Manuel. Canelo has been a world champion for 14 years, he’s defeated 21 champions, and he has always respected the rules. There’s no favoritism, only facts.”
Márquez immediately rejected that notion: “I respect Canelo as a boxer, but I criticize the privileges. Boxing has to be fair for everyone, not just for the stars.”
Benavidez Also Raised His Voice
This complaint isn’t new. David Benavidez himself accused the WBC of treating him unfairly. Before moving up to light heavyweight, he pointed out the injustice of waiting more than three years for his chance against Canelo without ever getting it. “I definitely earned the right to fight for the title, but I never got the chance,” he told Fight Hype.
Now, as Canelo prepares to defend his titles against Crawford, the debate over privileges and the WBC’s role remains wide open. The lingering question is: Does the Mexican receive special treatment, or is it simply the price of being boxing’s biggest star today?
