Canelo Eyes Dream Bout With Boxing Legend: "It's Complicated"

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez wants another shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. The super-middleweight champion has called out the retired boxer for a rematch, hoping to avenge his 2013 loss.

Canelo, now 34, usually finds himself on the receiving end of callouts. But the Mexican fighter has flipped the script, naming Mayweather as the retired boxer he'd love to face again.

In a recent interview with DAZN Boxing, Canelo expressed his desire for a rematch:

"Yes, of course [I would like to fight Mayweather again]. I would love the opportunity to get revenge. Obviously we know it's not going to happen but yes, I would love to get rid of that little thorn."

The first fight between Canelo and Mayweather took place in 2013 at a catchweight of 152 pounds. Mayweather outclassed the younger Canelo, handing him his first professional loss.

Since then, Canelo has only lost once more - to Dmitry Bivol in 2022 when he moved up to light-heavyweight. He's become a dominant force in boxing, currently reigning as the super-middleweight champion.

Despite his success, Canelo faces pressure to fight other challengers. David Benavidez, a former 168-pound champion, has been pursuing a fight with Canelo for years. But Canelo has shown little interest, even demanding a $200 million payday for the match.

Terence Crawford, another potential opponent, recently said:

"To be honest that [Canelo] fight was my motivation. If it's all about business then you doing good business. If I'm easy work, which I heard him say, then if I'm easy work you know you would make all that money that he's getting offered – but yet still he want $200m for Benavidez and he want $150m to fight me, so that just lets me know right there that I'm a threat to him and his legacy."

Canelo has downplayed a potential Crawford fight, arguing he'd get no credit for beating the naturally smaller man.

While fans and pundits accuse Canelo of 'ducking' Benavidez, the champion seems more interested in settling old scores. However, a Mayweather rematch remains unlikely. A more realistic future bout might be a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, the man who handed Canelo his second professional loss.