Canelo vs Crawford getting closer..... (wink, wink)

[TitoFan]

Turki Alalshikh wanted Alvarez and Crawford to face each other, and - as he does - he got what he wanted. The cheque-book did the convincing.

Alvarez will earn a reported purse of $150m (£111m). Crawford, long frustrated by smaller purses, will take home at least $10m (£7.4m), with the total pot expected to top $200m.

This fight is the equivalent Hagler v Leonard for me.

Hagler and Leonard were both ATGs, characterized by taking on all comers and all challenges. No marinating... no ducking... no diva bullshit.

The comparison falls apart before it even begins.

[TitoFan]

Again... I'll give Crawford all the credit in the world if he pulls off the upset. But I don't think he will. In which case Ginger gets NONE of the credit.

[Spicoli]

Really have not followed much of this lead up and really not invested in either outcome. But a few random things come to mind as far as fight itself. Only way I can see Bud scoring a ko is to actually bust Canelo up badly. And I wouldn't completely rule that out, but slight chances. The two division jump coupled with 1 fight in the span of over 2 years at his age is the height of irresponsibility and the feel of phoning it in from Bud, just can't get around that. There are serious questions as to his cardio and effects on speed and how his effective switch hitting will play out. But unlike Charlo, I think if Bud is dropped or hurt his instinct will be to look for quick payback. Of all scenarios, I cannot see Crawford going into strict survival mode and making it a track meet. He will fight and that could very well speed up a downfall...then again when's the last time Canelo was in a dog fight?! You simply cannot deny that Canelo had been "fighting from his golf cart" for a few years now. Physically he's on a slide, but also mentally I have no idea where he really is. He's clearly been coasting and even on occasion refusing to step on the gas and widen leads or close shows. At what stage did it go from being a willingness to do so and become an inability to do so? Fair play to either hand raised but I just do not buy all the "instant GOAT" talk that comes with a Crawford W. That's not how it works and 1-2 wins do not put you in all time elite. And while I hear all the talk about multi division champ and great belt collector etc. let's all go ahead and try to name all the greats he was unifying with at 135-140. I dunno, I have no idea whatsoever what will happen tonight. But personally, I will have always preferred a tried and true route by top tier champions and been much more interested in Canelo-Benavidez and Crawford taking names in a stacked 154 or then a venture to 160. Big fan of Bud but this manufactured match up will always feel like a guy trying to, in a very strange way, take a shortcut to greatness. But it is what it is, may the best man win. Oh and exactly WHEN does this card start. I assumed Netflix would be airing the full undercard ala every other Riyadh Season card but that doesn't seem to be the case.

[Spicoli]

Brandon Adams repeats win against Bohachuk via Unanimous 10 rounds. Thought it was a much closer fight, pretty good fight. Kellerman on the mic not exactly the Kellerman I remember . Kissing the ring way too much. Sounds like he wants to "talk to Dana about making a BMF belt" .

[TitoFan]

Televised pre-fight hype in its full splendor. Pretty sure it must’ve brought a tear to many a groupie eye. Gotta hand it to these people. They can take a meritless shit show and turn it into gold. You got the expected celebrities. Ward… Kellerman… others… singing the fight’s praises. “Fight of the Century”…. “The Face of Boxing”…. and other phrases worthy of “oohs” and “aahs.”

That’s the thing about boxing hype. It’s like a snowball rolling downhill. There’s not stopping… and the closer it gets to the bottom of the hill… the bigger it gets. Never mind it started out as a snow-covered pebble. It becomes a virtual avalanche as it rolls along.

Knowledgeable fans decrying the fight get swept aside. Nothing gets in the way of the hype. “Best Fight Ever.” Being compared to Ali-Frazier, Leonard-Hearns, etc, etc. The venue is being lauded as the only possible place big enough to hold such a gargantuan event.

It’s enough to make one vomit.

[J_Undisputed]

Good evening, Gents... been a while!

[Spicoli]

Nice opening round(s) by the time this posts . Mbilli is all action but somehow I think Martinez has the natural sapping type strength down the stretch. Fair to say he has "rehydrated" just fine. Competitive scrap early. Netflix here glitching in and out but doing ok. This Ufc fella they put on the announce reminds me of Ranallo.

[TitoFan]

Site is mega slow. Mbilli-Martinez fight is a good one. Don't think I'll make the Canelo-Crawford circus... er... fight. We'll see.

[Spicoli]

Fun fight had Mbilli up by 1 maybe but ruled a draw. There are some fighters you just feel like you've seen exactly where they are going. As fun as Mbilli is I think he's one of those. Straightline 1 gear offense head to chest. But Ward was spot on saying a basic step offs to side opens up more windows on him. He does rush over himself badly. Callum Walsh next up. Looks like he's the TKO poster-boy.

[Master]

Only saw the last round of Mbilli vs Martinez and that was epic!

Vargas v Walsh on now which is the co-main event.

[Spicoli]

Can't find the answer, but when was last time Canelo was cut? Walsh and Vargas pretty quiet early.

[Master]

I remember the dad, Fernando Vargas snr who was a talented, skilled and elite world class boxer. His son will not live up to that height.

Vargas is going for the body and Walsh head hunting.

Max Kellerman has been overhyping thie significant of this event all week.

[Spicoli]

Pretty clear Mbilli-Martinez should have been co-main. Walsh and Vargas here are in a pose-off over 7 rounds. Max says this fight has most significance of all the undercard fights, but I just can't connect those dots. Bus ok prospect match up unfolding so far. On a side note have never agreed more with Andre Ward than I have over this undercard so far. And that's rare .

[Master]

Walsh convincingly outpoints Vargas.

Loads of Netflix actors. Mark Walberg selling the Ring belt. They were trying to sell Teo v Shakur earlier this week which I don't mind.

I assume this is free everywhere and not PPV? If it is then that can only be a good thing.

[Master]

What was Crawford carrying into the ring?