Saul Alvarez, the current unified super middleweight champion, has had a remarkable career since his very first knockout victory against Abraham Gonzalez in 2005. He was only 15 at the time.
However, after a series of victories over some formidable opponents like Jose Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley, Canelo Alvarez faced his first professional loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013. Despite tasting defeat for the first time, the ‘Cinnamon’ went on to dominate the ring, winning 15 consecutive fights and securing titles across multiple weight classes. And with a victory over Jaime Mungia in May 2024, Canelo even extended his record for the most successful undisputed title defenses in the four-belt era to four.
So reflecting on that fateful night against Money Mayweather, the Guadalajara native recently opened up during a conversation on the Ring Magazine podcast. As he prepares for a potential bout with Terence Crawford later this year, he shared insights about his past experiences, including the lessons learned from his loss to Mayweather.
ESPN’s Mike Coppinger noted that Canelo Alvarez was just 23 when he fought Floyd Mayweather at MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He mentioned that the Mexican superstar lacked the skills that come with more extensive experience. He further discussed how Alvarez had to give up weight concessions and rehydration clauses, which may or may not have impacted the fight’s outcome.
After more than 11 years, the 62-2 boxer, while acknowledging Mayweather’s superior skill and accomplishments in boxing, admitted, “He deserved the position in the moment.” He recognized that he was trying to make history himself but admitted that things didn’t unfold as planned. So the question is, what did he regret the most? The answer is clear. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Alvarez speculated that if he had fought seasoned opponents like Miguel Cotto before facing Mayweather, the outcome might have been different. “But you know, we never gonna know,” Canelo Alvarez lamented. “I learn from that fight. Things happen for a reason.”
To be honest, the fight itself was a masterclass from Floyd Mayweather. He showcased his defensive prowess and tactical brilliance to outclass Canelo over 12 rounds to claim a majority decision victory. Despite being the clear winner at the end of the contest, Judge C.J. Ross scored it a 114-114 draw, which baffled many of those in attendance, including Mayweather. Anyway, for Canelo Alvarez, this defeat became a catalyst for growth, making him the fighter he is today.
After Floyd Mayweather’s retirement in 2017, he took up the mantle of the face of boxing. Today, as Canelo Alvarez looks at his own retirement from the sport, a couple of years down the line, who will take up the mantle next? Coppinger decided to ask Canelo who he thinks can be the next big star in boxing. And the Guadalajara native had a few names in mind.
In the same interview, Alvarez pointed to two rising stars. He believed these fighters could emerge as the next faces of boxing. According to Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia‘s knockout power and strong social media presence makes him highly marketable. With KingRy’s suspension ending soon in April, Garcia is set to face Rolando Romero in May at the 147 lbs division. If Garcia wins this fight, he could line up a rematch with Devin Haney, provided Haney defeats Jose Ramirez. A victory over Haney would not only bolster his previous win-turned-no-contest but also set him up for a title fight with Jaron Ennis for Ennis’ IBF welterweight title in early 2026, enhancing his claim to being the next face of boxing. And who’s the other one? It’s Gervonta Davis.
Tank Davis despite his controversies outside the ring, remains a formidable competitor inside it. He has an upcoming fight against Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1st, a fight that could further cement his position as one of the top fighters in the sport. If Davis defeats Roach, he will continue to build momentum toward bigger bouts, potentially leading to a rematch with Garcia or WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in the future.
As Alvarez reflects on his legacy and the future of boxing, he emphasizes the importance of nurturing new talent to keep the sport thriving.
