CANELO LEASES HIMSELF, KEYSHAWN VS. CRUZ, BETERBIEV VS. BIVOL 2 || FIGHTHYPE.COM

Welcome boxing fans to one of the very last boxing assets not packed up and shipped out to the Saudis for a handful of Turki bucks and a Richard Mille watch. This week, we combat boxing ignorance and address comments/questions regarding Canelo with the Saudis, Keyshawn Davis vs. Andy Cruz, and Beterbiev-Bivol 2.

Canelo Becomes Featured Attraction At The Saudi Zoo

What’s good P Mag? 

First hope all is well with you and the family. I TRULY appreciate your willingness to stick to telling the truth no matter what it may cost you. But I know other “industry” cats see your work.  

Secondly, after all the shenanigans between Canelo and Turki, Canelo has signed a four fight deal with him. I get it. Canelo is trying to cash in for hanging up the gloves. But I don’t really understand this move. I remember you saying that PBC need to get out of the Canelo business, but I never thought Canelo would join the ranks of taking magic carpet rides with Turki. What are your thoughts? 

– Big Rob

Hey Rob.

Thanks for the kind words.

As I wrote in this past Monday’s Notes from the Boxing Underground column, Canelo has become increasingly irrelevant over the last several fights/years. For anyone looking to make a real buck in the elite tier of the boxing business, it makes no sense to work with him at this point, unless you’re just trying to use his name and past bankability to find (and keep) a network home (like, I believe, PBC was). His contract demands and stagnant sales figures make for an increasingly small take for anyone putting on a Canelo show. 

The only way real money could come in is if he fought a real bankable opponent. Terence Crawford may or may not be that guy, but David Benavidez almost definitely would’ve been that guy. The problem is that Canelo has no taste for competition anymore, so wrangling a “good” opponent into a B-side slot has been like pulling teeth. If PBC is serious about staying in business, “losing” Canelo was probably a blessing in disguise. They can make four good shows with the money it takes to make one Canelo showcase and keep a larger chunk of the revenue.

The Saudis will lose money on Canelo– lots and lots of money. But they now understand, after hemorrhaging money on all of their shows, that they need the American (North American) market if they have any hope of establishing a financially viable boxing effort. Canelo is the piece they feel they need to reach over to fans on this side of the planet where, like it or not, most organic boxing revenue still comes from.

I understand where both sides are coming from in this Canelo-Saudi deal and I don’t blame a fighter for grabbing at all the loot he can. It’s just that Canelo’s act has grown tiresome. As a consumer and as an analyst, he’s just “meh” now. Taking his act to the other side of the planet as a featured attraction in the Saudi zoo won’t change that. 

Keyshawn vs. Cruz

Why not Keyshawn Davis v Andy Cruz?  Let’s make it happen right now! What’s either fighter got to lose? Andy is pushing close to 30 and Keyshawn is 25.  They fought in the Olympics before. This could be the rematch. Waiting for a fighter to mature before taking a big match should be reserved for fighters that turn pro out of high school. 

I don’t know how long Andy Cruz handlers are going to keep promoting him as a prospect. The way he’s branded is as if he wasn’t old enough to take a drink. The guys 29 and is long over due for a title fight. How much more development does he need?

As for Keyshawn, if it ain’t a fight with Tank or Stevenson. Might as well get it on with Cruz!  

– Na’-il Rahman

Hey Na’-il.

You’re 100% right. Keyshawn Davis vs. Andy Cruz should be next or, at the very least, very close to next. Realistically, we’re talking lightweights. It’s not like the fight will be significantly bigger if they pushed it three or four years down the road. Both are at their physical prime and there will never be a moment where this fight will make more competitive sense. The problem from the Top Rank side is that they see dollars in Keyshawn and they don’t have all that many bankable assets anymore. So, they may feel protective of their investment. On the other side, I get the feeling that Matchroom is not all that confident yet about Cruz’s elite-level chops. I can see where both sides may want to stall. 

Beterbiev-Bivol 2

Hi Paul.

Ok. It’s here. Beterbiev vs. Bivol. Who wins and how?

– Andrew

Hey Andrew.

I gave my prediction a couple times before, but I see Beterbiev winning more comfortably the second time around– if everything is on the up and up. 

I thought Bivol edged Beterbiev in a very close fight the first time, but he finished weak and, by the end, I thought Beterbiev was beating the spirit out of him. Part 2 might pick up where Part 1 left off. On the other hand, the cynic in me sees the business sense in a Bivol win, necessitating a rubber match. If he can box and move more and stay away from the best of Beterbiev, he would likely get a decision. 

So, in short, if it’s a real fight, Beterbiev probably wins. If it’s a hustle, Bivol will get the nod. If I were a betting man (and I am), I’d lean towards the former (but wouldn’t be surprised a bit by the latter). 

Got a question (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The best of the best gets included in the weekly mailbag segment right here at FightHype. Send your stuff here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.