The unified super-middleweight champion and Jake Paul were close to arranging a fight for summer 2024. But the plans fell through when Canelo signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season instead.
After the negotiations collapsed, Paul claimed Canelo had 'ducked him'. Alvarez responded to these claims in an interview on The Breakfast Club.
"Not that Long. Maybe [first round], not long. Yeah [I might play with him a little]. I think people would enjoy it."
Canelo, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, has his sights set on more serious competition. He's scheduled to face IBF champion William Scull in May 2024, followed by a potential showdown with Terence Crawford in September.
Meanwhile, Paul is on the hunt for his next opponent after his controversial fight with 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November 2023. The 'Problem Child' is reportedly eyeing a current world champion with 20 knockouts from 21 victories, hoping to get payback for Tyson.
Most boxing fans see a Canelo-Paul matchup as a huge mismatch. But for now, it seems both fighters are moving in different directions, with Canelo focusing on defending his titles and Paul looking to prove himself against increasingly tough competition.