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After taking out Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in New York City over a month ago to become the “baddest motherfucker” in mixed martial arts (MMA), Jorge Masvidal shifted his attention to the boxing world.
And he started at the very top, calling out Canelo Alvarez, who knocked out Sergey Kovalev to become the WBO Light Heavyweight champion the same night Jorge won the “BMF” strap.
Four weeks after Jorge’s callout, Alvarez has finally taken the time to respond by saying just like he doesn’t have any business inside the Octagon, “Gamebred” doesn’t have business inside the boxing ring, much less against him.
With all due respect, of course.
“I say this with all respect: If I go into his sport, I have nothing to do there and I think the same about boxing – if (MMA fighters) come into boxing, they have nothing to do here,” Alvarez told Little Giant Boxing via MMA Junkie. “But looking at it from a business standpoint, it is attractive, but it’s not a challenge for me, so it’s not my priority.”
But to hear Alvarez tell it, it’s no surprise there have been more and more MMA fighters wanting to try their hand at boxing. And it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the new challenge it presents.
“Because of money – because of the business, and nothing else,” Alvarez said. “That’s the reality, because what else? They would’ve started boxing from the beginning if they really liked boxing.”
Still, Alvarez — a current four-division champion — does not mean any disrespect toward Jorge or any other MMA fighter, he just feels crossing over into each others sports simply isn’t wise.
“And I say this will all due respect, each to their own: I respect what they do and their sport, and they’re great fighters in what they do. But in boxing, well, it’s just something else.”
Indeed, ever since Conor McGregor landed a big-money boxing fight against Floyd Mayweather a couple of years ago — something many thought would never happen — there have been numerous MMA fighters looking to try their hand at doing the same.
But it’s safe to say it will be a while — if ever — before a crossover event of that magnitude happens again.