WHENEVER a fantasy matchup between a boxer and mixed martial artist is discussed it tends only to appeal to those directly involved.
It appeals to the boxer and the mixed martial artist, as well as the designated promoter of the fight, but carries far less appeal for anybody asked to eventually pay to watch it unfold.
In the case of former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and current world middleweight boxing champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the same rules apply. It’s a fight being discussed, albeit in a casual manner, and it’s one nobody needs to see.
When asked about the idea, an idea first raised by Woodley, Canelo told TUDN: “For me it does not represent a challenge to fight with a UFC fighter, but it does represent (good) business. Why not?
“Surely it will not be what they expect or what they want, but that’s why I’m saying it’s business. It is not the same to be a fighter of the UFC and to be a boxer.
“It does not represent any challenge, no risk, much less. Because the styles and the way of fighting are very different, it is as if you fight with a street fighter.
“Maybe he knows how to box a little, trained and everything, but it’s not the same as being (in the ring) with a professional fighter.”
A lot of what Canelo says makes sense. Indeed, it could be described as common sense. Yet, whenever the word ‘business’ is used to describe the possibility of a fight happening, you do start to fear the worst.
Hopefully the lesson Canelo received from Floyd Mayweather in 2013 wasn’t the only one the Mexican will look to heed in the future. He can learn from that and so much more when it comes to his old rival.
Although he insisted his fight against Joseph Parker topped the bill on October 26 at London’s O2 Arena, Finchley heavyweight Dereck Chisora has this week claimed he knew Parker would withdraw from the fight all along.
Parker, of course, was removed from the contest after falling ill and has since been replaced by Liverpool’s David Price. The switch in opponent brought a switch in style for Chisora, but, because he had a feeling Parker wasn’t going to show up, it should be a switch he is perfectly prepared for.
“When I met Joseph in LA, I had a feeling he would pull out. My mind was already set that he might pull out,” Chisora told Sky Sports.
“I told him the truth (when we met) and he didn’t like it.
“Then I heard he’s got a spider bite. Whatever.”
Some will say Chisora vs. Price is a more appealing proposition than Chisora vs. Parker, but it comes down to a matter of taste really. Certainly, any fight involving Price, a huge puncher with well-documented vulnerabilities, sees its excitement levels cranked up a notch or two. Yet, equally, Chisora gaining the scalp of Parker would have been the world-class win he has been pursuing for some time now.
“He’s in good spirits and he’s back in training,” Parker’s manager, David Higgins, said. “I saw the British media sort of mocked the spider bite thing, but the honest feeling for the doctors, we think it actually was a spider bite.
“I’m no expert but it sort of destroys your immune system and your health. You are fatigued. He was ordered by medical professionals to stand down for three weeks.
“Make no mistake, we wanted to fight Chisora. We still do. We’ll just see what happens.”
Admittedly, when a puncher like David Price is around, it’s not easy scheduling the next fight or even considering an original fight to be on the back-burner – merely postponed. Everything, after all, can change with a single punch and few hit harder with a single punch than Price, this self-proclaimed ‘big, horrible heavyweight’.
