THE STANDARD-BEARER
here we are. I’ve been in the same position as him. Crawford is a good fighter, and yes, weight matters, but not as much as people think. At the end of the day, I’ve almost always been the smaller fighter in this division. I’m always the smaller fighter at super middleweight. So I don’t think weight will be a huge factor, but obviously I’m going to take advantage of every advantage I have, and I’ll take advantage 100%. The Ring: What went through your mind when you pointed your finger at Crawford after you pushed him at the New York press conference and you both had to be separated and held back? CA: You know me well, and you know I don’t like these kinds
with me. Look at the numbers – my career numbers speak for themselves. But some people will always talk. I understand that when a fighter of my level and in my position, with the success I’ve had and being at the top, there will always be divided opinions – those who criticize and those who support. All of this is part of my career, but at the end of the day, I’m going to fight my fight and give 100% as always, because Crawford is a great fighter, one of the best in recent times, and I’ll be ready for the best version of Terence Crawford. Crawford is a good fighter, and yes, weight matters, but not as much as people think. At the end of the day, I’ve almost The Ring: Your professional debut was at 139 pounds [Editor’s note: Canelo was 15 years old at the time], and during your career you’ve faced contenders from welterweight to light heavyweight. CA: I’m all about challenges in my career. I’ve shown it. I don’t need to say much or talk a lot. My record speaks for itself, and that makes me very proud, because in the end, my accomplishments will remain in boxing history. It will be very hard for someone to achieve what I’ve achieved. However, I hope that if someone does it, it’s a Mexican, so we can feel proud. But again, I feel very proud of my accomplishments. The Ring: I spoke with several Mexican boxing legends for an article in this issue, and they all agree that you’re a role model for young fighters in how you handle financial matters and how you’ve managed your career. always been the smaller fighter in this division.
Several Mexican legends had money stolen by managers and promoters or poorly managed their careers and finances. CA: In that sense, I think I’m a turning point, and I can teach the new generation how things should be handled in boxing – who should make the decisions, who should earn the most money, how to take care of yourself and your career, how to do things right. It’s important to leave a good lesson for those coming after me. They’re the most important. The next generation of fighters need to understand that they must manage themselves and earn well. It’s not about risking your life in the ring for nothing. At the start of my career, I boxed and sacrificed because I love what I do, but in the end, there has to be a reward. Effort and reward go hand in hand. Now, if after my retirement I decide to stay in boxing, I’d love to help the new generation, help them and teach them the full movie of what boxing really is – how to behave, how to manage themselves, teach them to save, to understand boxing comprehensively, to get involved in negotiations and everything behind them, everything a fight implies. They shouldn’t just focus on fighting and leave everything to others. They shouldn’t get used to just fighting and receiving money without asking or getting involved, doing the same thing repeatedly. Most fighters only ask how much they’ll make, and that’s it, over and over again. They don’t get involved. In the end, history says it: Many great fighters have ended up broke because all they cared about was throwing punches and fighting. The Ring: How important is good behavior outside the ring as a human being? Many people consider you a role model. CA: I don’t know. I’ve never wanted people to see me as a role model. I’ve always tried to just be myself, never
of things at press conferences, but when they provoke me, the switch flips. (laughs) I’m completely sure that Turki Alalshikh told him he had to do something to spice things up. Or who knows? But I’m sure it wasn’t Crawford’s idea to get
The Ring: Crawford had some trouble during his fight with Israil Madrimov, and you’ve taken big shots from guys like Gennadiy Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, Dmitry Bivol and Daniel Jacobs. Will Crawford withstand your power? Are you concerned about Crawford’s power? CA: I don’t know if he’ll handle my power. We’ll see on September 13. We’ll see. He’s a fighter who moves very well in the ring, knows how to box, but whether he’ll handle my power, I don’t know. We’ll see. And regarding whether I’m concerned about his power, I take everyone very seriously, because I believe that if you let your guard down, even a kid can hurt you. In the end, the punch that hurts you is the one you didn’t expect. Therefore, we’re going to train 100% for Crawford’s style and, as always, arrive at 100%. The RIng: Are you concerned about Crawford’s great boxing skills? CA: The truth is, I wouldn’t say I’m concerned – that’s not the right word. Obviously, as a team, we’re going to
pretending, never acting like this or that. Just being who I am. Obviously my family, ‘Chepo’ and Eddy Reynoso have always supported me, and I’ve learned a lot from them, but I’ve never done anything so people would speak well of me or see me as a role model. This Canelo you’re seeing is the real Canelo. What is true is that I don’t let anyone disrespect me, but I also don’t talk about anyone, I don’t criticize anyone, I don’t take merit away from anyone. I’m a person who focuses on what I have, because I believe if you focus on what others have, you’ll always be unhappy. I never say “Look, he’s earning more,” “Look, he’s doing more.” If I focused on what others are doing, I’d be very unhappy and would have never achieved anything. Because with that attitude, you’re not focused on your own stuff; you’re focused on what others are doing. That’s why I believe focusing on myself is what has brought me to where I am today. So I focus on what I love, on what I do, and on being happy. That’s why I believe I am who I am, nothing more, nothing less.
Canelo and GGG shared 36 rounds, with the former ahead 2-0-1 in their trilogy.
in my face the way he did. Because at the first press conference in Riyadh, everything was fine, there was a lot of respect, but New York was different. I’m sure it wasn’t Terence Crawford’s idea. But personally, I don’t take things like this as a joke. I immediately get fired up and take it seriously. So now things are heated. The Ring: You’ve moved up in weight divisions, all the way to light heavyweight. Now many say you’re fighting a “small man.” Is Terence Crawford a small fighter in terms of size? CA: The press and some people pretend to forget that I’ve fought bigger guys, but at the end of the day, whatever I do, people will make excuses and come up with reasons to criticize. I’m referring to the people who criticize, because in the end, I have many more people who love me, who support me and who are always
train, understanding who Crawford is. The camp will be prepared specifically for his style. We know his style. But somehow, we’re going to figure him out. We’ll find a way to connect and win the fight. I hope we deliver a great fight and that the best man wins. The Ring: Do you consider Crawford the most complete fighter you’ve faced so far? CA: Yes, I think he has all the tools as a fighter. He’s a great fighter, and in terms of skills, I think he’s the best. The Ring: Crawford is ambidextrous. How much will your experience from fights like the one against Erislandy Lara help you face Crawford? CA: I believe that everything I’ve lived through has prepared me for each of the fights I’ve headlined. I’ve fought the best in the world. I’ve faced fights
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