Up for argument: Reflecting on Canelo’s latest victory

Maybe you had to be there … .

In a lively Monday edition of ProBox TV’s “Top Stories,” hosts Paulie Malignaggi and Chris Algieri delved into the quality of Canelo Alvarez’s victory over Edgar Berlanga, and projected what it means for the four-division champion’s future.

While former 140-pound champion Algieri discussed the entertainment value of the latest Canelo fight week in Las Vegas, and how at age 34, the magic remains, Malignaggi objected to Alvarez performing as a “bully” against “no-hopers.”

“Someone who says they love boxing wants to fight the best,” Malignaggi said. “You’ve got to set an example for the sport.  … He can still do a lot, but he likes to be the bully. 

“Berlanga fought just enough to keep (Alvarez) off him and Canelo does leave you alone. (When Berlanga landed a good punch), he would never go follow it up. (Dmitrii) Bivol did. He was assaulting and attacking (Alvarez).”

That difference in the class of opposition is what stirred Malignaggi, who said Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) “was never in threat of losing … tell me where Berlanga tried to win the fight.”

Instead of seeking an opponent like Bivol or even unbeaten recent super-middleweights David Benavidez or David Morrell, Alvarez turned to an unproven power puncher who’d never been near a pay-per-view main event.

“Do you love boxing or love being the bully? (Alvarez) is too good to be on these retirement tours.”

Algieri agreed the bout never took a turn to force viewers to consider Alvarez could lose, but said watching the veteran champion from Mexico have his way with Berlanga was entertaining.

“He didn’t quite dog-walk (Berlanga), but he domesticated him,” Algieri said, describing the victory that included a third-round knockdown as a “carbon copy” of recent single-knockdown victories over John Ryder and Jaime Munguia.

It was a case of, “You stay there, I’m going to bust you up along the way. (Alvarez) said it afterward, ‘Knockouts are special. Winning is what it’s all about.’

“Canelo at 34 is not the Canelo of old who posted knockouts of the year in 2015 (James Kirkland) and 2016 (Amir Khan). That guy is gone. This guy is not the same finisher. He walks you down but throws his combinations one at a time – 30 punches a round. He looked good, though. He’s the best 168-pounder around and this version is still fun.”

Algieri described the third round knockdown – a left hook landed right on the chin – as “brilliant.”

While Alvarez didn’t post the landmark 40th knockdown he said he was chasing before the fight, he did cross the threshold of more than 500 professional rounds. With Alvarez being a pro since age 15, Algieri said it needs to be factored into the viewing of Canelo fights that “he’s 34 going on 40 … he’s an old 34.”

Industry experts reached Tuesday believe Alvarez-Berlanga will surpass 500,000 pay-per-view buys after selling out T-Mobile Arena with more than 20,000 in attendance. 

“He’s the money train, and the train keeps rolling,” Algieri said. “He’s fun to watch, and we’re going to miss him when he’s gone.”

Malignaggi embraced that point, adding, “He still has a responsibility as a champion. He can (take these types of fights) if he’s not a champion. He shouldn’t keep the belts hostage.”

Malignaggi doesn’t expect Alvarez to fight Bivol or fellow 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev or Benavidez. He said the more likely path is a date against WBC No. 1 contender Christian Mbilli or fellow four-division champion Terence Crawford, who’d be moving up 21 pounds from his fighting weight of last year.

“There’s a little bit of an argument,” over who’d win Alvarez-Crawford, “enough” to make the fight, Malignaggi said.

Algieri argued Alvarez may still opt to fight Benavidez at 168 pounds, with a rehydration clause preventing the unbeaten Phoenix fighter from packing on the 25 extra pounds Alvarez has alleged will happen.

“(Alvarez) could take that fight as his last stop … he’s crafty and counter-punches well enough to give pressure fighters (like Benavidez) pause,” Algieri said to Malignaggi. “If (Alvarez) out like that – even if he loses – what will you say?”

Answered Malignaggi, “That fight’s never going to happen.”