Fiery Exchange with UFC Head Steals Spotlight at Boxing Press Conference
At a recent press conference for a highly-anticipated boxing match, the attention was unexpectedly diverted from the fighters in the ring to a heated conversation with the head of UFC. The main event was supposed to be Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez against Terence Crawford, but the verbal sparring between the UFC chief and a reporter stole the limelight.
Alvarez, a 35-year-old boxer from Mexico, is set to defend his four super-middleweight titles against Crawford at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The 37-year-old Crawford, originally from Omaha, is making the bold move of jumping up two weight classes in hopes of making history as the first man to become an undisputed champion in three divisions in the modern era.
Pre-Fight Antics and Controversy
The press conference was filled with the usual mix of respect and victory predictions from both fighters. However, things took a turn when the spotlight shifted to the UFC head, who was hosting the event. This marked his first time promoting a boxing event since announcing a new venture into the sport, supported by Saudi Arabian backers.
The tension escalated when the UFC chief was questioned about the Muhammad Ali Act - a law enacted in 2000 to safeguard the rights of boxers and prevent potential monopolies. The UFC chief, who is leading an effort to amend the Act, gave a fiery retort when probed about this issue.
When the reporter continued to press, the UFC chief cut him off, redirecting the focus back to the fighters. However, critics argue that his proposed UFC model in boxing could limit fighters with exclusive contracts, create a monopoly, and result in boxers earning a smaller portion of the event's revenue.
As this verbal tussle continued, Alvarez humorously chanted "fight, fight, fight."
Stars Show Up in Support
The conference hall was packed with about 1,500 spectators, including prominent personalities like British rapper, Stormzy, and boxing legend, Lennox Lewis. The crowd was clearly in Alvarez's corner, waving Mexican flags and cheering for him as he entered the stage.
Recognizing the magnitude of the upcoming fight, Alvarez said, "This fight for me is big. One of the biggest fights in my career. It means a lot. It's going to be very top."
Despite initially dismissing the idea of fighting Crawford due to their size difference, Alvarez now sees it as a 50-50 contest.
Crawford, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the crowd's boisterous support for his opponent. Having won his first world title in 2014 and subsequently unifying the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions, Crawford is prepared to take on the challenge. "I'm feeling great. I am ready to go shock the world," he confidently stated.
Historic Match to Reach Global Audience
The upcoming bout is set to be streamed worldwide, potentially reaching over 300 million subscribers. This marks the first major boxing event promoted by the UFC head, alongside Saudi's Turki Alalshikh, signaling a new chapter for the sport.
Despite organizers promoting this new partnership as the much-needed resuscitation for the sport, Alvarez, one of boxing's biggest stars and highest earners, chimed in, "Hey, boxing was always bigger, bigger and big. Don't say boxing is not big enough. You know how big is boxing."
Though tempers flared at a previous encounter in New York, Alvarez and Crawford ended the event on a respectful note, sharing a nod and a handshake.