Canelo Alvarez and the World Boxing Council (WBC) face renewed criticism over their relationship. The controversy centers on accusations of preferential treatment for the undisputed champion as he gears up for a potential $200 million clash with Terence Crawford.
Juan Manuel Márquez, a former world champion, didn't hold back when he spoke to ProBoxTV about the situation.
"When a fighter decides who he faces, sporting justice is violated. Canelo made an unfair decision affecting those who earned their place."
Márquez's comments put a spotlight on the absence of a showdown between Canelo and David Benavidez, the mandatory super middleweight challenger. Benavidez expressed his frustration to Fight Hype.
"I definitely earned the right to fight for the title. It's not fair that I've never been given the opportunity in three years."
Despite being the mandatory challenger, Benavidez never got an official order to face Canelo. This has added fuel to the long-standing perception that the WBC gives Canelo special treatment due to his star power and ability to draw large audiences and revenues.
WBC Chairman Mauricio Sulaiman jumped to Canelo's defense, dismissing the accusations of favoritism.
"Canelo has been a world champion for 14 years, has beaten 21 champions and has always respected the rules. There is no favoritism, these are facts."
Sulaiman also took a swipe at Márquez, telling him, "Don't be so envious, Juan Manuel."
The back-and-forth has reignited debates about privileges, rules, and justice in boxing. Critics argue that when fighters pick and choose opponents without respecting ranking processes, it hurts the sport's credibility.
As Canelo prepares for his potential megafight with Crawford, the controversy serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between boxing's biggest stars and the organizations that govern the sport. The WBC's handling of the situation will likely continue to face scrutiny from fans and fellow fighters alike.
