Is Canelo Alvarez the Worst “Face of Boxing” of All Time?

Boxing has always had a dynamic “face,” a singular figure who embodies the sport’s spirit and draws the biggest crowds. From Muhammad Ali to Floyd Mayweather, these figures have not only dominated the ring, but also made the most significant fights of their era. However, Canelo Alvarez, widely considered the current face of boxing, has stirred controversy by not making the fight fans are clamoring for: a showdown with David Benavidez. Instead, Canelo has chosen to fight Edgar Berlanga on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada—a matchup that many see as a lackluster choice. This decision raises questions about Canelo’s willingness to face top-tier competition in his waning years and his legacy as the sport’s leading figure.

Canelo Alvarez’s announcement of his fight with Edgar Berlanga has been met with widespread disappointment. The general sentiment among boxing fans and analysts is that this is a fight nobody asked for and nobody wants to see. The match does little to excite the boxing community, which has been eagerly awaiting a more challenging and meaningful bout for Canelo.

The consensus among boxing enthusiasts, journalists and casuals is that the fight to make is Canelo versus David Benavidez. This matchup promises to be the biggest and best fight available for Canelo. Benavidez, known for his aggressive style and undefeated record, represents a significant challenge for Canelo and a fight that could solidify his legacy.

David Benavidez himself has expressed frustration over not securing the Canelo fight. In an interview with Brunch Boxing, Benavidez stated that he believes Canelo is scared to fight him. The WBC’s reluctance to mandate a Canelo-Benavidez bout, instead positioning Benavidez to defend his interim super middleweight title against Christian Mbilli, has further fueled this narrative. The WBC did assure Benavidez that if he campaigned at 175, they would order a fight between him and the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol bout. This left Benavidez’s camp feeling they had no choice but to consider moving up in weight, much to their dissatisfaction.

As the undisputed cash cow in boxing, Canelo Alvarez wields significant power in deciding his fights. The fact that the Canelo vs. Benavidez fight isn’t happening is seen as a direct result of Canelo’s unwillingness to face Benavidez. For many, this is a dereliction of duty for someone in Canelo’s position. When told of the possibility of Canelo vs Berlanga, a source close to Benavidez was quoted as saying “It's ridiculous. I hope people don't support this bullshit.” The face of boxing should be making the biggest and most competitive fights possible, something previous faces of the sport have managed to do.

Let’s look at the previous faces of boxing and any fights that they may have missed has the kingmaker.

Muhammad Ali:
Muhammad Ali is renowned for taking on all challengers. Ali fought and defeated some of the greatest boxers of all time, including Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Ken Norton, often facing them multiple times. Ali’s willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, solidified his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in history.

Big Fight History:

• Sonny Liston (1964): Ali won by technical knockout (TKO) in the 7th round.
• Sonny Liston II (1965): Ali won by knockout (KO) in the 1st round.
• Joe Frazier (1971): Ali lost by unanimous decision.
• Joe Frazier II (1974): Ali won by unanimous decision.
• George Foreman (1974): Ali won by KO in the 8th round (the “Rumble in the Jungle”).
• Joe Frazier III (1975): Ali won by TKO in the 14th round (the “Thrilla in Manila”).
• Ken Norton (1973): Ali lost by split decision.
• Ken Norton II (1973): Ali won by split decision.
• Ken Norton III (1976): Ali won by unanimous decision.

Sugar Ray Leonard:
Sugar Ray Leonard fought many of the best fighters of his time. His only arguable miss is Michael Nunn in the late 1980s, but Leonard’s record includes victories over legends like Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Marvin Hagler.

Big Fight History:

• Wilfred Benitez (1979): Leonard won by TKO in the 15th round.
• Roberto Duran (1980): Leonard lost by unanimous decision.
• Roberto Duran II (1980): Leonard won by TKO in the 8th round (the “No Más” fight).
• Thomas Hearns (1981): Leonard won by TKO in the 14th round.
• Marvin Hagler (1987): Leonard won by split decision.

Mike Tyson:
Mike Tyson’s prime years were in the late 1980s, during which he fought everyone available. His time in prison in the early 1990s meant he missed out on some potential matchups with the heavyweights of that era, such as Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis. However, his real window was from 1986 to 1991, and during this time, he was dominant.

Big Fight History:

• Trevor Berbick (1986): Tyson won by TKO in the 2nd round.
• Larry Holmes (1988): Tyson won by TKO in the 4th round.
• Michael Spinks (1988): Tyson won by KO in the 1st round.
• Evander Holyfield (1996): Tyson lost by TKO in the 11th round.
• Evander Holyfield II (1997): Tyson lost by disqualification (the “Bite Fight”).

Oscar De La Hoya:
Oscar De La Hoya faced almost every notable fighter in his weight classes during his career, including Pernell Whitaker, Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, and Bernard Hopkins. His willingness to fight the best cemented his status as one of the era’s top boxers.

Big Fight History:

• Julio Cesar Chavez (1996): De La Hoya won by TKO in the 4th round.
• Pernell Whitaker (1997): De La Hoya won by unanimous decision.
• Felix Trinidad (1999): De La Hoya lost by majority decision.
• Shane Mosley (2000): De La Hoya lost by split decision.
• Bernard Hopkins (2004): De La Hoya lost by KO in the 9th round.

Floyd Mayweather:
Floyd Mayweather’s career is marked by his destruction of a who’s who of opponents, especially in the early 2000s. Once he became the face of boxing after his fight with Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather fought and defeated the best available opponents, including Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, and Canelo Alvarez himself.

Big Fight History:

• Diego “Chico” Corrales (2001): Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round.
• Jose Luis Castillo (2002): Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
• Jose Luis Castillo II (2002): Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
• Zab Judah (2006): Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
• Oscar De La Hoya (2007): Mayweather won by split decision.
• Ricky Hatton (2007): Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round.
• Juan Manuel Marquez (2009): Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
• Miguel Cotto (2012): Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
• Canelo Alvarez (2013): Mayweather won by majority decision.
• Manny Pacquiao (2015): Mayweather won by unanimous decision.

If the Canelo vs. Benavidez fight never happens, it will be a significant blemish on Canelo’s legacy. Unlike his predecessors, who faced the best competition available in the biggest events, Canelo’s apparent avoidance of Benavidez will tarnish his reputation and diminish his standing as the sport’s top guy.