Chávez Jr. left boxing in 2021 but came back this year. He claims he's made a big impact on the sport.
"Maybe I'm not the best (boxer), but I'm not the worst either. I'm the one who brought boxing back to free TV, and now there's a lot of money, many boxers are earning," Chávez Jr. said.
He went on to praise Canelo's skills and success:
"Canelo is the best, a great boxer, and that's where the rivalry started. It doesn't affect me."
The two Mexican fighters met in the ring on May 6, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo won easily, with all three judges scoring the fight 120-108 in his favor. Since then, their careers have gone in very different directions.
Canelo has become one of boxing's biggest stars. He now holds three out of four super middleweight titles and signs huge contracts for his fights.
On May 3, Canelo will step into the ring in Saudi Arabia for the first time. He'll face William Scull as he tries to become the undisputed 168-pound champion again. This fight is part of a deal with Saudi sports organizers that will earn Canelo millions of dollars.
After the May fight, Canelo will likely return to the ring in September or November.
While Canelo's star has risen, Chávez Jr.'s career took a downturn after their 2017 bout. But the "Son of the Legend" doesn't seem bothered by comparisons between their careers. He's focused on his own legacy, claiming he helped bring more money into boxing for other fighters.