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The claim that GGG was shamelessly ducked is heavily overstated. His main problem with securing high profile fights was signing with a second rate Euro promoter then Loeffler who didn’t have the pull to put him on noteworthy cards. It’s not like the public was clamoring to see him either, Eastern European amateur standouts feasting on nobodies on the sidelines aren’t exactly hard to come by. Years into his career even after claiming a title, his main claim to fame was giving good sparring to a teenage Canelo.
Once HBO got behind him and he became an in demand fighter, other fighters took notice and began calling him out. Suddenly team GGG became dismissive of challengers, coming up with various reasons ranging from not liking a fighter’s style, not liking their weight, not being financially lucrative, not caring about mandatory obligations, and generally insisting fighter’s stand in line as they pick and choose opponents as they please. Basically every excuse (and then some) they accused other fighters of using to duck him. Even negotiations with Jacobs dragged on because they wouldn’t budge from a 75% split on their behalf even though GGG wasn’t a cash cow himself, and they initially turned down a career high payday against Canelo only to turn around and claim they were ducked, and damn near priced themselves out a massive payday for the rematch. That fight was almost dead until GB salvaged it at the end by giving into his inflated demands. Basically, GGG has never made concessions like others have or taken a risk unless it was in his favor.
And if anything, I see more similarities between Marquez and Canelo in the way they approached their respective grudge matches. Both defied people’s expectations by fighting their opponent’s fight (which most believed would be suicide missions), yet made their risky gambles pay off by effectively beating them at their own game.
However, to Pac’s credit at least he was ready to do whatever it takes to clinch a victory, unlike GGG who talked smack about the fighter who takes a step back not deserving any credit only to get caught with his pants down and retreat when confronted by an aggressive Canelo at the center of the ring. Given the circumstances leading into the fight, GGG’s decision to abandon his team’s gameplan by retreating and mostly staying busy jabbing was one of the most baffling decisions by a fighter in years: Meanwhile Canelo’s decision to bring the fight to the supposed boogeyman of boxing was one of the ballsiest.
Once HBO got behind him and he became an in demand fighter, other fighters took notice and began calling him out. Suddenly team GGG became dismissive of challengers, coming up with various reasons ranging from not liking a fighter’s style, not liking their weight, not being financially lucrative, not caring about mandatory obligations, and generally insisting fighter’s stand in line as they pick and choose opponents as they please. Basically every excuse (and then some) they accused other fighters of using to duck him. Even negotiations with Jacobs dragged on because they wouldn’t budge from a 75% split on their behalf even though GGG wasn’t a cash cow himself, and they initially turned down a career high payday against Canelo only to turn around and claim they were ducked, and damn near priced themselves out a massive payday for the rematch. That fight was almost dead until GB salvaged it at the end by giving into his inflated demands. Basically, GGG has never made concessions like others have or taken a risk unless it was in his favor.
And if anything, I see more similarities between Marquez and Canelo in the way they approached their respective grudge matches. Both defied people’s expectations by fighting their opponent’s fight (which most believed would be suicide missions), yet made their risky gambles pay off by effectively beating them at their own game.
However, to Pac’s credit at least he was ready to do whatever it takes to clinch a victory, unlike GGG who talked smack about the fighter who takes a step back not deserving any credit only to get caught with his pants down and retreat when confronted by an aggressive Canelo at the center of the ring. Given the circumstances leading into the fight, GGG’s decision to abandon his team’s gameplan by retreating and mostly staying busy jabbing was one of the most baffling decisions by a fighter in years: Meanwhile Canelo’s decision to bring the fight to the supposed boogeyman of boxing was one of the ballsiest.
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