UFC boss Dana White never misses an opportunity to take a shot at his competitors.
So when the promotion’s president and owner was asked about the punch-up between boxing superstar Canelo Álvarez and Caleb Plant at their news conference earlier this week, White teed off at ShowTime for their lack of awareness and professionalism.
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The two champions scrapped after trading verbal barbs ahead of their their upcoming super middleweight title unification bout, with the Mexican star pushing Plant after an apparent insult towards his mother.
Plant stepped forward and threw a left hook at Álvarez, who dodged it and threw an open left hand to Plant’s face. The blow struck Plant’s sunglasses, which jammed into his cheek and caused the cut.
The fighters’ camps eventually separated them, but it took some time before security could get between them. Both men were also left alone during the ceremonial face-off, something White said should never have happened.
“I’m not surprised, s–t, Showtime is, they’re great,” White said with a sneer. “Those guys are really good at what they do. From production to press conferences, they’re f—ing awesome.
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“How long have you been in the business that you would let two fighters go up to each other face-to-face without somebody there to try to … and then, when it breaks out, there was, like, two men that are there in between them before there’s a man anywhere near it.
“You couldn’t be f—ing dumber than what they did. Risk a massive fight with one of the biggest stars in the sport by not having the fighters safe.
“You can’t let two alpha males walk up to each other face-to-face at the f—ing supper club or wherever the hell they were having that press conference and let two guys stare down without somebody there to break it up.
“But they’re awesome. They do a good job at everything they do so it’s not shocking.”
Following the incident, Álvarez tweeted a video of the clash, with the comment; “Don’t talk about my mum.”
“You can say whatever to me, but not to my mom,” Canelo said afterwards.
“I’m going to fight anyone who says something about my mom. And he swung first. I just pushed him. He swung first, and I do what I do. He crossed the line.”
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