Canelo’s steak mistake costs boxing big fight

Hopefully it was a darn tasty steak that Canelo Alvarez tucked into back in February. Because it has certainly proved a painfully expensive one.

Alvarez withdrew from his middleweight title rematch against Gennady Golovkin on Tuesday, pre-empting the findings of the Nevada Athletic Commission that will likely see him banned for at least six months.

And so disappears an opportunity for boxing to build on the momentum it built during 2017 with a blockbuster showdown on one of Las Vegas’ biggest weekends of the year.

Golovkin went on an explosive rant two weeks ago in which he accused his rival of being a long-term doper. More likely, Alvarez was just a short-term dope who didn’t think.

Alvarez is a wealthy, intelligent and savvy man, one who knows full well the problems that have emerged in sports with Mexican beef and traces of Clenbuterol. His trainers Eddy and Chepo Reynoso were butchers by trade for many years. He had the resources to make sure no chances were taken. If the guy was craving a burger or a steak, he could have had one flown in.

What a way for a fight to disappear. Chances are the whole thing will happen in September. It is the best matchup in boxing, and neither fighter can make as much money battling anyone else. But the fact remains the rematch should be taking place in a few weeks, both to capitalize on the still-lingering buzz from the first fight and to hit boxing’s prime weekend on the calendar.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn’t do much good for boxing — although a whole lot for his own bank balance — with his crass ways and dull fights. But this episode is hurtful. Alvarez and Golovkin were seen as upstanding men who lived and fought in a clean, nononsense manner. Golovkin’s name is intact. But Alvarez will forever have a cloud of suspicion hanging above him.

It’s enough to put you off your dinner, especially if steak is on the menu.