Teddy Atlas Sets Bar for Canelo's Mexican Legacy: "He's Two Wins Away"

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez might need two more big wins to be considered the greatest Mexican fighter ever, according to famed trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas.

Atlas shared his thoughts on his podcast about what Canelo must do to top the list of Mexican boxing greats. The trainer believes Canelo's already done enough to be mentioned alongside legends like Salvador Sanchez, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Carlos Zarate.

"First of all, I don't think he has to be the greatest Mexican fighter of all time to get his flowers. I think he's a great fighter and he fits into the great heritage and tradition of great Mexican fighters. He belongs. That's enough."

Canelo started his pro career at just 15 years old in Guadalajara. He went on a 43-fight unbeaten run before losing to Floyd Mayweather at 23. Since then, he's bounced back in style.

Canelo beat the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, James Kirkland, Danny Jacobs, Sergey Kovalev and Billy Joe Saunders. He became the undisputed champion in the super-middleweight division, though he was recently stripped of his IBF belt.

His only other loss came in 2022 when he stepped up to light-heavyweight for the second time, falling short against Dmitry Bivol.

Atlas thinks Canelo's got two fights to win if he wants to be considered the best Mexican boxer ever.

"Look, if he wanted to be the greatest, for me, for Teddy Atlas, if he goes out and fight Benavidez and beats him, he fights a rematch with Bivol and beats him, you know what? I'd have to consider it. Yeah. Fair is fair. I sure as hell would."

Right now, Canelo's aiming for a rematch with Bivol. He's shown little interest in fighting David Benavidez, who's been chasing the fight for years. But Canelo's said he's open to it for the right money.

Canelo's last fight was a dominant points win over Edgar Berlanga. He'll need to keep that form if he wants to tick off Atlas's two-fight checklist and potentially claim the title of greatest Mexican fighter ever.