Tag

Canelo Alvarez

Browsing

David Benavidez hasn’t given up hope on securing a fight with Canelo Alvarez.

Benavidez is the reigning interim WBC light-heavyweight champion, and returns to action to face WBA regular champion David Morrell in Las Vegas on February 1.

‘The Mexican Monster’ moved up to 175lbs after failing to land his dream fight against Canelo, who is the reigning WBC, WBA and WBO super-middleweight champion and looks set to face Terence Crawford later this year.

David Benavidez Reveals Details Of ‘Legendary’ Spar That Made Him 100% Certain He Beats Canelo

JUST IN: ‘I Have Had Difficult Fights’: Canelo Announces His Retirement Plans

While Benavidez and Canelo may now compete in separate weight classes, fans are still eager to see a fight between the two men.

Benavidez has always been confident that he would be victorious in a bout against the pound-for-pound star, and he has told The Miami Hustle about past sparring sessions that makes him so certain.

“The reason why I know there is no doubt in my head I beat him is because from 15 to 19 I was Golovkin’s main sparring partner. My sparring sessions with Golovkin were legendary up in Big Bear. I was the best sparring Golovkin has ever had and he’ll tell you that to.

“Watching the fight between Canelo and Golovkin, I had more success in those sparring sessions than Canelo. Obviously it’s a sparring session but I was young, I was 19-years-old. For me to be able to go up against a great fighter like Golovkin and have so much success, that’s how I know that nobody can beat me.”

Canelo and Gennady Golovkin met on three occasions, with Canelo winning two and drawing one, though many felt Golovkin should have won their first encounter that ended as a draw.

Canelo Alvarez has revealed that he feels capable of boxing until he is 38.

Canelo is the current Unified Super Middleweight Champion, making one of the biggest names in the sport. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga, as he retained his Unified Super Middleweight Title. He has been linked with a fight against the IBF Super Middleweight Champion William Scull. A victory over him would make Canelo undisputed at 168 pounds again. He is a four-weight world champion, having only lost twice in his career against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dmitry Bivol. According to reports, he will take on Terence Crawford in a Mexican Independence Weekend bout.

But Canelo is expected to fight once before this. Canelo is currently 34 years old. There is a perception that he has shown a reluctance to face the biggest names of late. His continual insistence on not fighting David Benavidez has raised a few eyebrows. Canelo demanded $150-$200 million to make that fight. The perception was that he was pricing himself out to avoid the narrative that he was ducking. Talks over a Bivol rematch also broke down. Canelo wanted to have the rematch at 175 pounds, the same weight class where he lost. Meanwhile, Bivol wanted it at 168 to fight for Canelo’s then-undisputed title.

Canelo' Alvarez pummels Berlanga to retain supermiddleweight belts

JUST IN: Terence Crawford Comes Clean on Biggest Scare Against Canelo Alvarez That Even Has Mike Tyson Concerned

Outside of the Crawford fight, those are the biggest bouts out there available for him. And if he does retire at 38, there is plenty of time for him to take those bouts. There is nothing to indicate that Canelo is on a massive decline, even if he is not in his peak. There is every reason for Canelo to continue fighting. His bout against Berlanga showed that he is still capable of bringing in a huge amount of money without facing the top names.

The Berlanga fight sold 650,000 PPVs while bringing in a live gate of $17 million. Canelo now has a better relationship with the Saudis, meaning that he could very well fight on a Riyadh Season show in the United States. Equally, there is a narrative there for him to fight in Saudi Arabia. Either one of those options will earn Canelo a big payday. Based on his following comments, he has no plans to retire very soon.

“I don’t know, yeah, I’m getting closer to [retirement] obviously. But I’m feeling great, I feel better than ever. But maybe at 38? Yeah I think 38 would be the perfect time to start thinking about that. I have had difficult fights, and ones I didn’t need in them moments. [And] I take risks my whole career. I really love the challenges and what I do, and I try to show people how good I am. I love to go up and down in weight, I never look at my record and say ‘I did this.’ My trainer always says about it and he always shows me the things I’ve done, all the world champions [I’ve fought] and it’s very impressive,” Canelo said 

Does former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford stand a chance of winning against fellow four-division champion Canelo Alvarez?

It depends on who you ask! While some point at Canelo’s history fighting boxers from lower weight classes, others seem to have complete confidence in Crawford’s abilities.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has doubts about ‘Bud’ Crawford’s ability to overcome the significant weight difference between the two fighters. The youngest heavyweight champion in history previously stated that competing at 168 lbs would pose a considerable challenge for Crawford and could take a toll on the undefeated boxer.

Tyson Opposes Crawford-Canelo Fight Due to Weight | Perigon

READ: Terence Crawford Made to Swallow Bitter Pill Over Canelo Alvarez Fight Conditions

“I don’t like that fight,” Tyson said. “Too much weight, you know he had a close fight with the last guy he fought [Madrimov] because this guy was big and he was awkward, he shouldn’t have fought that guy.” However, Crawford doesn’t seem bothered about the weight, even though he has to climb two weight classes to fight Canelo.

Recent reports suggest that a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is in the final stages of negotiations and is being planned for September in Las Vegas. Regardless, Crawford just came clean on the weight difference conversation, revealing his view on the challenge that lies ahead of him.

In an interview with Boxing Scene, the Nebraska-born boxer said, “That’s what great fighters are all about – testing yourself against all the odds.” Responding to all the doubts about weight, he claimed, “That’s when great fighters perform their best.” Furthermore, he feels he wouldn’t face any challenges at 168.

“I’m going to feel great [at 168]. I don’t need to worry about the weight,” he told Boxing Scene“I’ve got a lot of things to prepare on. That’s part of boxing – [meeting] milestones you’ve got to hit. We’re going to be well prepared when that time comes.” The concerns about Crawford’s weight were magnified because of his showing against Israil Madrimov.

During the fight last year, Crawford seemed much slower and Madrimov was able to get the upper hand on certain occasions during the fight. The fight itself turned out to be much more close than anyone expected. However, Crawford seems to have a clear-cut plan for Canelo.

During the same interview, Crawford was asked about what he plans to do when he comes face to face with Alvarez, who has never been knocked down. Crawford pointed to his ability to adapt on the fly no matter who his opponent is. “Man, we’re going to see come fight time what my advantage is,” Crawford said.

“I’m the type of guy who likes to feel my fighters out and adjust to what they’re doing.” Crawford considers this ability his greatest attribute, and his strategy to defeat Canelo heavily relies on it. “I’m looking to do the same come fight time when the Canelo fight happens,” Crawford said. However, Canelo Alvarez is no ordinary opponent, and only fighting will reveal how effectively Crawford will be able to execute his plans.

That said, even though the fans and experts have doubts about Terence Crawford fighting Canelo Alvarez at 168 lbs, ‘Bud’ himself seems confident in his abilities.

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.

Canelo Alvarez: I'd Knock out Floyd Mayweather Jr. If We Were Both in Our  Prime | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

JUST IN: The Winner Of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Must Face Undefeated KO Artist To Keep Belt

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.

Unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez has revealed that he is open to a rematch against former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

The pair initially clashed back in May 2022, which ended in a major upset with Bivol emerging victorious with a unanimous decision win. A rematch was previously discussed, but nothing came out of it.

Today, Canelo is reportedly close to finalizing a fight deal with former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford. Meanwhile, Bivol is slated to go toe-to-toe in a rematch against undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev on February 22nd. Amid all this, ‘Cinnamon’ appeared in the Ring Magazine podcast recently, sharing his thoughts on the long overdue rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

Canelo Alvarez stunned by Russia's Dmitry Bivol as he suffers just second  defeat of career | CNN

JUST IN: AJ vs Dubois II: Do Anthony Joshua Has Any Chance Of Ever Beating Dubois?

“Yeah, why not?” he said when asked about the fight in the future. “I always have it in my mind. Always have that idea in my mind.” The Mexican superstar went as far as to reveal that he hopes Bivol wins his upcoming fight against Beterbiev, adding, “Maybe they have the three fights,” which according to him, makes their potential rematch “a difficult situation.”

However, he is hopeful that they will dance in the ring one more time, “We’ll see in the future. But I have it in my mind. Always have that little thing.” Despite Canelo’s willingness, things are indeed much more complicated than they seem. You see, Bivol is unlikely to come down to super middleweight anytime soon, a win against Beterbiev can’t change that.

It’s also unlikely that Canelo would climb back to 175 lbs following his last loss to Bivol in the division. But, more importantly, because of his potential fight against Crawford, Canelo is likely to remain at 168 lbs, at least for the time being. What’s even worse is that Dmitry Bivol had previously claimed he couldn’t come down to 168 because of his agreement with the Saudis.

Dmitry Bivol has cast doubt on the possibility of a rematch with Canelo Alvarez in the near future. “I don’t have him [Canelo] on my agenda… my mind is elsewhere right now. I have another route. Maybe in the future, we can face each other again, but not in the short term,” Bivol told Fight Hub last year in September.

Bivol revealed past efforts to arrange a rematch, even offering to fight at 168 pounds, but negotiations fell through. “We had the possibility of doing it for a couple of years, but his team and my team couldn’t come to an agreement,” he explained. Now, Bivol is prioritizing his commitments with Saudi Arabia and Matchroom Boxing. 

I can still give 168 pounds, but… I see my future with the Saudis, and with the options I have in my contract with them, and it is not in the plans to go down to 168 pounds,” he concluded.

That said, it appears the weight class difference between Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol has become an obstacle in making their rematch.

It’s been twelve years since Floyd Mayweather handed Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez the first defeat of his career.

Mayweather fought Canelo in a WBC and WBA light middleweight title showdown in September 2013. It was the 45th contest of the American’s glittering career, coming up against the young Mexican who was facing his toughest challenge to date.

‘Money’ dominated the fight throughout, using his skills and expertise 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 114-114, which baffled many of those in attendance, including Mayweather.

Floyd Mayweather Sums Up Canelo’s Boxing Ability Honestly In Just 3 Words: “I’m Telling The Truth”

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez Finally Reveals The Real Reason He Refuses To Fight David Benavidez

Speaking to FightHype, the 47-year-old did not hold back when talking about Canelo’s boxing ability, initially summing up in three words how the fight went.

“He was nothing.”

Mayweather then explained further what he thinks of the Mexican’s ability.

“You can take a guy like Canelo. I’ll tell the truth about Canelo. The mo**erf**ker was easy. A cakewalk, easy. You’re all praising this dude. He was nothing. I was almost 40 and I cooked this dude, easy.”

After tasting defeat for the first time against Mayweather, Canelo went on to win his next 15 fights, winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight in the process.

The 34-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico currently holds the unified WBC, WBA and WBO titles at 168lbs, as he looks set to defend his crown against fellow pound-for-pound superstar Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford later this year, in what could be one of the biggest fights in the long history of boxing.

Canelo’s only other career defeat came in 2022, when he was beaten comprehensively by the former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

Maybe not in history. However, it will certainly be the biggest fight of the era – or even the decade – if the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown becomes a reality.

For the sport, the new year has started on a positive note. Fans can look forward to a plethora of exciting matchups, including some they’ve been eagerly anticipating for months or even years. One of the most awaited has been the Canelo-Crawford fight.

Ever since Crawford demolished Errol Spence Jr.‘s challenge, talks of a showdown against one of the biggest names in boxing have been swirling. The narrative followed the familiar cycle of highs and lows – mostly lows – until last year. However, with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh finally intervening, the momentum apparently shifted in a positive direction. Reports confirm that talks are progressing toward a potential clash around the Mexican Independence Day weekend. Yet, doubts remain. Many experts and former champions are still uncertain about how Crawford will be able to leapfrog two weight divisions to face Alvarez. Among the skeptics is Mikey Garcia, the younger brother of Ring Magazine’s ‘Trainer of the Year’ award recipient, Robert Garcia.

Terence Crawford calls out Canelo Alvarez for sensational mega fight |  Boxing | Sport | Express.co.uk

JUST IN: ‘He’s lying’ – Shakur Stevenson explains exactly what happened in Gervonta Davis sparring sessions

Fight Hub TV caught up with the former four-division world champion during his visit to Hamburg, Germany, for the WBC Convention. The reporter highlighted HE Turki Alalshikh’s statement. The Riyadh Season head had expressed his desire to make the Canelo-Crawford fight happen.

After reflecting for a moment, Mikey Garcia said, “I’m not a big fan of that fight.” His main concern centers around the significant weight disparity between Crawford and Canelo Alvarez. Before Crawford moved up to 154 pounds, the difference was equivalent to three weight classes.

Robert Garcia’s brother also pointed out how Terence Crawford seemingly struggled against Israil Madrimov during their title fight in Los Angeles. Despite Crawford’s superior skills, Garcia believes the size difference will be the deciding factor in a potential showdown. The Mexican superstar’s power and size will likely give him the upper hand.

Appreciating Crawford’s stellar career, Garcia reiterated, “That’s why I’m not even a fan of that fight. I think Crawford has accomplished everything he had to accomplish, from 140 to 147 to now 154. That’s even greater for him.” If Crawford truly wants to push himself further, he could pursue the unified/undisputed route in his current division, he opined. However, there’s a catch: “But there’s no money in that.

Mikey Garcia held a similar view regarding Canelo Alvarez. Garcia acknowledges that a fight between Canelo and Crawford would generate substantial revenue. But as a fight fan, he’s not in favor of the matchup. He would prefer to see Alvarez face fighters within his weight class or above, such as Artur Beterbiev or a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. “He wanted to challenge himself, move up to 175 again, and challenge himself against those guys. Yeah, not a smaller guy moving up you,” said Garcia.

Those are strong views from someone who has been in the ring. These opinions are shared by several prominent figures, including Mike Tyson. For boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., like Mikey Garcia, Terence Crawford’s skills are undeniable. However, dealing with Alvarez’s size could prove to be a daunting challenge. “If Terence can deal with the size, he will beat him,” the legend stated during an interview with ‘Mill City Boxing.’

Canelo Alvarez suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather.

The Mexican superstar took on Mayweather over a decade ago, with the two men meeting at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in September 2013.

Alvarez had just turned 23 heading into the bout, and was the reigning WBC super-welterweight champion, bringing an undefeated record of 42 wins and 1 draw.

Canelo Alvarez Sums Up Floyd Mayweather’s Boxing Ability Honestly In Just 3 Words

JUST IN: Why Mike Tyson’s boxing career may not be over

Mayweather’s was WBA super-welterweight champion and his record was similar at 44-0, but at the age of 36 was at the tail end of his career, leading to some fans to believe that Canelo could be capable of inflicting a first defeat on the American.

The fight didn’t transpire that way though, as Alvarez struggled to deal with his legendary opponent, as Mayweather claimed the victory on points, though the scorecards were much closer than expected, with one judge even scoring it 114-114.

Having experienced 12 rounds with Mayweather, Canelo needed just three words to sum up what he thinks of his rival’s boxing ability whilst talking to the Full Send Podcast.

“He has everything.”

Canelo then revealed that while Mayweather may not have hurt him in the fight, it’s an area of his game that he didn’t need.

“He’s experienced, he’s so smart. He is a complete fighter. He doesn’t have power in the punches but when you are that kind of fighter you don’t need it.”

Mayweather would later retire with a perfect 50-0 record, while Canelo now holds a record of 62 wins, 2 defeats and 2 draws, with his only other loss coming to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022.

Alvarez is set to return to action later this year for a clash against fellow pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford. The boxing world has already begun offering their views on the fight, with former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder making his prediction.

Dmitry Bivol was the last man to beat Canelo Alvarez inside a boxing ring.

They met back in May 2022, with Canelo stepping up to 175lbs as he looked to once again claim world honours in the light heavyweight division.

It wasn’t to be though, as Bivol won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming just the second man after Floyd Mayweather to overcome the Mexican superstar.

Dmitry Bivol Reveals ‘The Only Mistake’ Canelo Makes That Terence Crawford Can Exploit

JUST IN: Oleksandr Usyk named in dream fight with Britain’s Mike Tyson by Turki Alalshikh

Since that bout, Bivol went on to face Artur Beterbiev in an undisputed showdown in October, suffering a narrow defeat, with a rematch taking place next month.

As for Canelo, he returned to super-middleweight and made several defences of his world titles, and now looks to be on a collision course with fellow pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford.

The fight would see Crawford moving up several weight divisions, with some fans worried that it could prove to be a bridge too far for the former undisputed super-lightweight and welterweight champion.

Crawford disagrees, and may be interested to hear what mistakes Bivol felt Canelo made following their meeting nearly three years ago.

Speaking in the aftermath of his victory, Bivol explained exactly what Alvarez did wrong to potentially cost him the bout.

“He has good speed and good power. Maybe his mistake is he throws only hard punches. After hard punches he relaxes and he’s tired.”

Time will tell whether the same issue happens again for Canelo when the Crawford fight reportedly happens later this year, and the only man that has fought both boxers professionally, Amir Khan, has given his prediction for the bout.

Terence Crawford has spoken for the first time since it was reported that a fight against Canelo Alvarez was agreed.

The clash between the two pound-for-pound greats was first discussed last year after Crawford defeated Israil Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight title in August.

Talks died down though due to Canelo’s reluctance to negotiate the bout prior to his September fight against Edgar Berlanga, which the Mexican won to retain his WBC, WBA and WBO super-middleweight titles.

Terence Crawford Sends 5 Word Warning To Canelo Alvarez As Fight Finally ‘Agreed’

READ: Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez To Fight In September

With both men now seemingly rested and recharged following their latest bouts, the year began with fresh optimism that a fight could indeed take place later this year.

Crawford and Canelo both met with Saudi chief Turki Al-Alshikh over the weekend, with it now reported that a deal is in place for the mega fight to take place.

‘Bud’ has given his first reaction since the reports that the bout was agreed, taking to social media to share his confidence that he will be victorious.

“Ima shock the world watch!!! The best is yet to come. I had it in my back pocket this whole time.”

It would indeed be seen as an upset to many if Crawford is able to defeat Canelo, due to him needing to jump up a further two weight divisions from 154lbs to 168lbs.

Crawford has only competed once at super-welterweight after moving up from 147lbs. Prior to that he reigned as undisputed welterweight champion after defeating long-term rival Errol Spence Jr, and Spence has given his prediction for how the Canelo fight could go.

Verified by MonsterInsights