Canelo Alvarez interrupted Max Kellerman’s closing remarks at his boxing press conference.
We’re now less than two days out from the biggest boxing match of the year between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, who meet at super middleweight.
A massive fight calls for a massive build-up and that’s where UFC CEO Dana White comes in. Turki Alalshikh has put White on promoter duty for the event, which is set to kick off Zuffa Boxing this Saturday from Las Vegas, Nevada – live on Netflix.
Ahead of the main event, fighters and promoters took the stage at the Canelo vs. Crawford press conference on Thursday, including sports personality Max Kellerman, who had something to say about White and the current state of the sport.
- READ MORE: Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford staff picks including an overwhelming favorite for the main event
Canelo Alvarez responds to Max Kellerman saying boxing isn’t as popular as it used to be
Kellerman used some of his time on the microphone to give a shoutout to Dana White, for building the UFC into the machine it is today.
In doing so, Kellerman also suggested boxing has declined in popularity.
“Dana White is the greatest combat sports promoter in my lifetime,” Kellerman said of the UFC boss at the boxing press conference (via MMA Junkie).
“He built an institution.
“You know why boxing’s not as popular as it used to be anymore, right?” Kellerman continued.
“UFC is really popular. That’s because of Dana White. He built something like the NBA. He’s about to do it for boxing again, for boxing now.
“You want an NBA or an NFL in boxing? Here it comes. Because he knows how to build an institution. And how do you do that?” Kellerman asked.
“Hey, Max,” Alvarez spoke into the microphone.
“Hey, Max… Boxing is always bigger and bigger and big,” Alvarez said to the roar of the crowd.
“Don’t say boxing is not big enough. Boxing is big. You know how big is boxing…
“Should it get bigger, yes or no? Should it get bigger, Canelo?” Kellerman asked Alvarez.
“Maybe it’s gonna be bigger, but look, boxing is always big and big and bigger and bigger and bigger,” Canelo added.
“We need to talk about that too. How big is boxing? Boxing is boxing.
“No lies,” his opponent Crawford replied.
“There is no comparison. Respect for other sports, great job on everything, but boxing is boxing,” Alvarez said.
Dana White didn’t make special announcement after Turki Alalshikh told him to
The Canelo vs. Crawford press conference ended with an awkward moment between Turki Alalshikh and Dana White.
Just as things were wrapping up for the face-offs, Alalshikh turned everybody’s attention to the UFC CEO.
“There is a big surprise from Dana White,” Alalshikh said (h/t: Championship Rounds).
“He will announce it now…” Alalshikh looked to White, who was right beside him.
Whatever the announcement was, White didn’t make it.
“Thanks for coming out tonight everybody,” White said.
“We appreciate it. We’re going to face these guys off for photo ops. We’ll see you at the weigh-ins,” White concluded.