The second weekend in September has long been a showcase span for boxing, a time for the Sweet Science to put on the best, most intriguing matchups the sport has to offer in honor of Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16. Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Hector Camacho; Oscar De La Hoya vs. Fernando Vargas; Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana; Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennadiy Golovkin are prime examples.

My how times have changed.

Saturday's Canelo-Edgar Berlanga fight was anything but a compelling matchup. It was a great champion vs. a prospect, and it was as much of a predictable mismatch as expected. Berlanga, as spunky an effort as he gave, didn't win more than one round. After a third-round knockdown produced by a perfect Canelo left hook, the fight took on the feel of a sparring session.

Canelo, 62-2-2 (39 knockouts), Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, was never in any danger, despite being outweighed by an opponent who reportedly entered a 168-pound title fight over 190 pounds.

Berlanga, 22-1 (17 KO's), New York, is the fourth subpar opponent Canelo has fought since the Mexican superstar lost a decision to light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. In 28 months, he has outpointed John Ryder, Jermell Charlo, Jaime Munguia, and Berlanga – all prohibitive underdogs. All the while, he has avoided a rematch with Bivol, and – more notably – a showdown with David Benavidez, a two-time world champion from Canelo's weight class who poses a legitimate threat.

In the past four decades of boxing, it's the most obvious path-of-least-resistance campaign that a fighter of Canelo's ilk has ever embarked upon. Certainly, boxers from past eras have avoided particular fighters. But to actively sidestep every single credible threat over more than two years is unprecedented.

Whether they're bigger (Bivol), the same size (Benavidez), or smaller (Terence Crawford, a one-time lightweight), Canelo is actively – and successfully - evading everyone. His management team seems to scour the earth to find opponents with good records who will look good on a poster and fool an ever-naïve paying public, to the tune of a $90 pay-per-view tab.

Somehow, someway, the fans go home happy. Unlike the boxing fans of yesteryear, who appreciated the value of two evenly-matched superstars, today's paying public seems content with simply seeing one superstar boxer. The guy in the opposite corner doesn't seem to matter.

Sometimes, the boxers don't even need to be real boxers (Jake Paul)

So what's next for Canelo? Who knows? But, at age 34 and nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, he's unlikely to disengage from a business strategy that, for him, has been outrageously lucrative. This is a supply-and-demand business, and there is little doubt that the demand is there. Somehow, the fans go home happy and, most importantly, keep coming back.

The name Conor McGregor was thrown out last week as a possible Canelo opponent. And don't think for a minute that Paul won't be considered if he impressively (or even unimpressively) beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November. A Canelo-Paul fight could be the biggest pay-per-view fight in history which is simultaneously hysterical, sad, and incredible.

One thing's for sure: Canelo's next opponent won't be Benavidez or Bivol. Or anyone legitimate. History dictates that. From a business and common-sense standpoint – who could blame him? With the money people are paying to watch him fight subpar opposition – there's no reason for the great Mexican pugilist to fight another legitimate threat ever again.

Daboll’s fuming face after cheapshot question is just what New York media wanted

By George Willis

New York Giants Coach Brian Daboll doesn’t have a good poker face. You could see the steam coming from his ears when asked if he was concerned about his job security after a 21-18 loss at Washington on Sunday dropped the Giants to 0-2 on the season. Daboll, in his third season as head coach, offered a solid answer: “I’ve done this for a long time, Pat. My focus is on our football team.” After looking away for the next question, DaBoll’s eye returned to the reporter who asked the question for four solid seconds with one of those “meet you outside” looks.

That made headlines and topped podcasts in New York because that’s the kind of stuff the New York media feeds on and the reasons why the question was asked. Daboll could have given the Jim Fassel, “I’m shoving my chips to the middle” speech or “It’s not about me,” or even what he said. It’s the four-second glare that did him in. You can’t be thin-skinned and coach in New York.

Tom Coughlin was fired by the media 15 times and won two Super Bowls and probably shouldn’t have ever left. He’ll be in the Hall of Fame one day. Fassel was fired a few times, too and made it to a Super Bowl. And guess what, the Giants have started 0-2 before and won it all.

This is not a “worried about your job moment.” It was a cheap-shot question, no doubt. It’s borne from the “I can ask the tough question” mentality that fuels the “tough” New York media façade.

There’s no doubt Daboll will instill an “us against them” mentality this week in a must-win game against the Browns in Cleveland. Daboll better be more concerned about Daniel Jones and getting the offense right than wasting energy on a reporter’s question. Things are only going to get uglier if he keeps losing. 

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Now get ready to dive into the world of Old Scribes the Podcast for the Mature Sports Fan, who values the history and professionalism of sports. Featuring the Borderland Boys, George Willis and Matthew Aguilar, Old Scribes the Podcast features exclusive interviews, in-depth analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights into the sports industry. Join us as we bring together decades of experience and passion for sports and professional journalism.

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"There is a rich legacy of sports journalists with rich experiences and advice to share,” Willis said. “The Old Scribes platforms where veteran, aspiring sports journalists and sports fans can encourage a more professional form of sports media. You’ll hear first-hand stories, career advice, and thoughts on the biggest moments in sports history.”

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The great Jim Lampley talks about the impact his mother had on cultivating his interest in sports. Trust us. It’s Awesome.