There was some Canelo excuses that came after the fight and still persist from the Mexican boxer since.
Alvarez is still one of the sport’s biggest stars worldwide and is getting ready for a comeback fight this September.
Against an opponent to be named.
However after the fight last September and even again very recently last week he has brought up the leg cramp excuse for his UD points loss to ‘Bud’ Crawford.
12 facts + quick analysis on Canelo’s “leg cramps” excuse vs Crawford:
- 1. Lost UD to Crawford Sept 2025
Clear decision, no robbery claim. Analysis: Only angle left was condition, not judges. - 2. Canelo said “my body didn’t respond”
Cited leg cramps, heavy legs, tired. Analysis: Shifts blame from skill to body. - 3. Used cramps to call for rematch
“I don’t feel the way I really want.” Analysis: Cramp = unfinished business sales pitch. - 4. Said he knows his mistakes in fight + camp
Analysis: Admits prep issues, not just in-ring failure. - 5. Crawford outlanded him 115-99, jabs 45-16
Canelo was gun-shy, frustrated. Analysis: Legs don’t explain jab gap — tactics too. - 6. 7 straight fights without a stoppage
Last KO was Plant 2021. Analysis: “Cramps” fits existing pace decline pattern. - 7. Had elbow surgery after the fight
Plus weight cut issues. Analysis: Multiple health factors, but stacks up as excuses. - 8. Media called it legacy damage
“Trying to find a way around that fact.” Analysis: At 35, physical excuses look like denial. - 9. “Leg cramps” became instant meme
Quote overlaid on fight pics. Analysis: Short, relatable line = easy to mock. - 10. Fan split: excuse vs age vs Crawford better
Analysis: Cramps turned into a proxy for his whole decline debate. - 11. Crawford retired after win
“Nothing left to prove.” Analysis: No rematch means cramp claim stays untested. - 12. Question already was “does he still have legs?”
Even before Crawford. Analysis: Cramps confirmed a fear fans already had.
Mexican, American and world boxing fans will want to see more from Alvarez and obviously want to see him in 100 per cent condition prepared to fight without leg cramps.
For such a high level boxing and professional athlete like Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to bring up something so trivial as muscle cramps as a reason for a defeat hasn’t really sat well with boxing fans at all.
