Canelo Alvarez, ahead of his fight with Edgar Berlanga scheduled for September 14, 2024, has engaged in a verbal spar with Conor McGregor, reflecting a broader narrative of competition and rivalry between the boxing and UFC worlds.
Canelo’s fight against Berlanga is set on the same night as UFC 306, creating a direct competition for viewership and attention in Las Vegas. This backdrop has fueled the banter between Canelo and McGregor, with McGregor even suggesting that UFC would “run Canelo off the strip.”
While there hasn’t been a direct, explicit “warning” in the traditional sense from Canelo to McGregor, the sentiment from Canelo’s side has been one of confidence and a readiness to engage in a crossover fight if terms were agreeable. Canelo has expressed openness to facing McGregor in 2025, hinting at a potential showdown that would be one of the most anticipated crossover events in combat sports.
The interaction between Canelo and McGregor has largely played out on social media platforms like X. McGregor has taunted Canelo, particularly over his contract demands for other fights, suggesting Canelo’s PPV numbers are lower than his own. In response, Canelo has maintained a tone of amusement and confidence, not directly engaging in McGregor’s provocations but rather focusing on his upcoming fight while subtly keeping the door open for future confrontations.
While Canelo’s primary focus is on defending his titles against Berlanga, this back-and-forth with McGregor adds an extra layer of narrative to his fight night. It’s not just about defending his belts but also about maintaining his status as a top combat sports athlete against the backdrop of McGregor’s claims.
The exchanges have been met with excitement and anticipation from fans and media alike, who are intrigued by the possibility of a crossover fight. This has also sparked discussions on who would be favored in such a matchup, given their different combat sports backgrounds.
While the immediate focus for Canelo is Berlanga, the ongoing dialogue with McGregor sets the stage for potential future events. McGregor is targeting a return to UFC in early 2025, which might align with Canelo’s timeline for considering such a high-profile crossover, depending on both fighters’ commitments and health.
In summary, while there wasn’t a direct “warning” in the classic sense, Canelo Alvarez’s interactions with Conor McGregor before his fight with Edgar Berlanga have been marked by confidence, banter, and a strategic openness to future confrontations, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the boxing vs. UFC narrative on that fight night.
