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The boxing world has always been a mix of politics and sports, where success in the ring doesn’t always translate to fair treatment outside of it. This is something that former Olympic medalist Nate Jones knows all too well. Moreover, when asked why undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, one of the sport’s biggest stars, gets preferential treatment, Jones had much to say.

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Alvarez has been in a lot of controversial matches in his career. His bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. was surrounded by controversy after judge C. J. Ross scored the bout as a draw. This came as a surprise to many as the other two judges had the bout convincingly for ‘Money’ Mayweather. Moreover, his first bout with Gennady Golovkin was also met with criticism as many felt that the Kazakh won despite the split draw. Despite this, Jones might know the reason why great athletes sometimes get preferential treatment.

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A reporter asks Nate Jones why Canelo Alvarez is treated differently than other boxers

In a recent interview, the former Olympian was asked why ‘Saul’ was ‘given stuff’ that he should not have. The reporter then gives the example of the Mayweather and GGG fights. “They say Canelo is one of the best pound-for-pound in the game, but the help he gets is crazy. One judge scored a draw against Floyd, GGG one, Laura even the cards against Bilbo. I just don’t get it I just don’t get it how they basically how they just give him stuff that he ain’t earned,” said the reporter.

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However, Jones revealed that this was due to the politics in sports. He stated that great athletes tend to get their own ways usually and are not fully bound by the rules of the sport.

Nate Jones ropes Floyd Mayweather, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan as he explains the flaws of sports

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He also roped in Michael Jordan and LeBron James, who have both faced criticism despite their success. Jones even mentioned that Jordan “got a lot of calls” during his career, implying that referees may have been biased toward him due to his superstar status.

“It’s politics and sports, you know, we gotta learn to beat the politics. People may say it’s positive, we’re flying, but all type of dogs, you know what I’m saying. Michael Jordan got a lot of calls, you know what I’m saying, when you’re on top of the throne, they’re gonna treat you differently. Its different with LeBron James. You just gotta get it, you know, see anything in the top of the throne, you’re gonna bust your a*s, and once you become that big dog, you’re gonna get more haters. Someone got the same uniform, they don’t mean on the same team. It’s lonely on top when you’re number one in the nation, when you’re famous, a lot of people don’t like them,” he said.

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USA Today via Reuters

Jones’ comments on politics in sports offer a unique perspective on the inner workings. While it’s clear that success in the ring is a major factor in a boxer’s career, it’s also important to consider the many other factors that can impact their treatment both inside and outside of the ring.

Read More: CEO of Floyd Mayweather’s Promotion Predicts Canelo Alvarez’s Fate Against David Benavidez

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What did you think about Jones’ admission about politics in sports? Let us know in the comments section below.

Watch This Story: Five Times Canelo Alvarez Displayed His Impenetrable Head Movement

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Sahil Sood

1,864 Articles

Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports, who specializes in covering live events and core sports. Sahil holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has authored over 1300 articles at EssentiallySports. His coverage of Sylvester Stallone's training with Earnie Shavers was widely praised for its depth and insight. As a practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu and a passionate fan of combat sports, Sahil's love for the sport shines through in his writing. His favorite bout, Roberto Duran vs 'Sugar' Ray Leonard, is a testament to his appreciation for the all-time classics and his deep understanding of the technical aspects of boxing. Aside from his writing, Sahil's life revolves around his training for national tournaments, reflecting the same dedication and discipline that he brings to his work as a boxing writer.

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Shibu Immanuel

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