“Canelo” Alvarez doesn’t seem all that interested in a potential crossover fight with the UFC star Jorge Masvidal.
The multiple-weight boxing champion recently responded to Masvidal’s comments showing interest in a boxing bout between the two. “Canelo” believes Masvidal (35–13 MMA, 12-6 UFC), a top contender in the UFC’s welterweight division, has no business competing in the sport of boxing.
“I say this with all respect: If I go into his sport, I have nothing to do there. And I think the same about boxin: If (MMA fighters) come into boxing, they have nothing to do here,” Alvarez told Little Giant Boxing. “But looking at it from a business standpoint, it is attractive, but it’s not a challenge for me, so it’s not my priority.”
The biggest crossover bout between boxing and MMA fighters, and one of the biggest fights in combat sports history, was in 2017 when the undefeated Floyd Mayweather beat former UFC featherweight and lightweight champ Conor McGregor in a boxing match.
Since then, the number of callouts involving MMA and boxing fighters has grown. Alvarez believes there is a simple answer to that: money.
“Because of money – because of the business and nothing else,” Alvarez said. “That’s the reality, because what else? They would’ve started boxing from the beginning if they really liked boxing. And I say this will all due respect, each to their own: I respect what they do and their sport, and they’re great fighters in what they do. But in boxing, well, it’s just something else.”
'Canelo' Alvarez: Jorge Masvidal matchup good business, but not challenging