Canelo Alvarez, the unified super middleweight champion, has opened up about a potential fight with MMA star Conor McGregor. The Mexican boxer recently shared his thoughts on the matter, sparking interest in a possible clash between the two combat sports icons.
Alvarez, fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga in September, addressed the rumors in an interview with IFL TV. He clarified that he hadn't agreed to fight McGregor, as some reports suggested.
"No, I didn't say that. They asked me if I was able to fight McGregor at some point and I said you never say no."
When pressed on whether he would consider facing McGregor, Alvarez kept the door open:
"I can't say no. Maybe, I don't know."
The Mexican champion acknowledged that a bout with McGregor might not align with his career goals. However, he didn't rule out the possibility entirely, especially if the financial incentives were substantial.
"It's not something I want for my legacy. But if it's for a lot of money, why not."
McGregor's boxing experience is limited to a single professional match. The Irishman suffered a one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather in August 2017. In MMA, McGregor held UFC titles in two weight classes but hasn't competed since July 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier for the second time in six months.
Alvarez's next fight is expected to take place on Cinco de Mayo next year, though his opponent hasn't been announced yet. Potential matchups include undisputed welterweight champion turned 154 lbs belt holder Terence Crawford and Dmitry Bivol, who defeated Alvarez at light heavyweight in 2022.
While a fight with McGregor remains a distant possibility, Alvarez's willingness to consider it shows the enduring appeal of crossover bouts in combat sports. For now, fans will have to wait and see if this intriguing matchup ever moves beyond speculation.
