Canelo versus Kovalev: Where's the beef?

We’ve all heard talk on the wind of Canelo Alvarez daring to jump two weigh classes to challenge Sergei Kovalev for his light-heavyweight title. Why does it make sense for these two to square off? $$$$$ is the answer, as it is to everything in the world, especially the sweet science.

So the negotiations will be tough but will get worked out. Why? Because Canelo appears to want the fight. If the fight doesn’t materialize, it will be because Team Canelo was just trying to lower GGG’s purse demands and Kovalev was merely a tool born to leverage Canelo a negotiating advantage. It’s been reported that Team Kovalev has been presented with two proposals. Let’s see where these talks go, and what it would mean to both camps.

But keep in mind, Kovalev is still boiling mad that Andre Ward got a guaranteed $6.5 million purse for their rematch, and Krusher only got only an estimated one to two million bucks. That’s a lot of rubles, but he was shamed by his entitlement proceeds of 75% of the 40% his promoter, Main Events, got from the promotion’s net revenues. Considering the bout never resonated with the general public, it was a fair purse. But Krusher can vodka at 200 yards, and so he can damned-sure smell DAZN - Canelo dough.

Main Events can also smell a life-changing payday for Kovalev in the works of a Canelo fight. Kathy Duva wants to get paid worse than Kovalev does, as Main Events has become a secondary player compared to their heyday roster of champions

For Alvarez, it would mean becoming the first Mexican to own crowns in five different weight divisions. Ok, I get that Oscar "Kitchen" De La Hoya is a Mexican and he’s already claimed five division titles. Let me just say this: Oscar is Mexican-American, bred and born in Los Angeles, not in los Estados Unidos, and definitely not from Old Mexico. To real Mexicans, there is a huge distinction. Can’t feel me on this? Just harken back to when Oscar faced Julio Caesar Chavez... any true Mexican worth his salt was cheering for Julio, despite Oscar being The Golden Boy of Olympic fame and hottest ticket in boxing. That distinction is not lost on Canelo. Mexicans have got the utmost love for Mexicans born in Mexico. Bet that.

Another plus for Canelo is that a Kovalev fight gets DAZN off his azz. John Skipper didn’t give Alvarez that massive contract in order to grant the right for Team Alvarez to pick tulips on spring days in a meadow in Oregon. No. Big business and mega-purses require mega-fights against mega-opponents. Of course Canelo will be allowed to snag a few vanity wins along the way to keep him sharp, but not allowing for any serious wear and tear. IA Canelo vs Kovalev bout also shuts up Eddie Hearn and his constant crying for an Andrade disaster... er, fight.

A Kovalev fight also generates massive PR for the Canelo brand.

It drives the narrative that Canelo has huge ballz, perhaps needing to have them carted in alongside him in a wheel barrow as he strides into the ring against a relative giant. His legend... and promotion grows as his BraveHeart faces a Russian machine, must like Rocky daring to face Ivan Drago.

Perhaps the most important factor for Team Canelo is that Canelo is 28 years old. Kovalev is an old 36. He got a shznit-load of miles put on his odometer during his time at Abel Sanchez’s gym, as the only style of fighter Abel will accept into his camp are come forward sluggers. No dancers or conventional boxers allowed. That spells one thing: gym wars. Every friggin’ day.

The bad news for Canelo; Kovalev is at least six feet tall. Canelito is 5’8" on his tip-toes. To put the height disparity into perspective, the four-inch advantage is akin to Canelo fighting someone 5’4". If that fact doesn’t get your attention, nothing will. But here goes, because boxing fans are a stubborn lot.

Another bit of sobering news for Team Canelo is that Krusher fought at middleweight when he was 18. He last fought at that weight at age 22... fourteen years ago. Kovalev has been a full-fledge light-heavy for over a decade

Add to the dark list of "Look out, Canelo!" warnings: Kovalev worked mucho rounds with GGG and according to most, Kovalev was The Boss.