Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the Mexican boxing superstar, has opened up about his two-decade-long career, sharing insights on his most memorable punch and the opponent he disliked the most.
Canelo started his professional journey at the tender age of 15 in 2005. Now, at 34, he's achieved world titles across four weight classes and currently reigns as the undisputed super middleweight champion.
The Guadalajara native has faced a who's who of boxing greats, including Gennady Golovkin, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Miguel Cotto, and Dmitry Bivol. But it's his fight against Billy Joe Saunders from four years ago that stands out in his memory.
Canelo recalled the fight at AT&T; Stadium with vivid detail:
"It was amazing. The people, the fight, everything. And that uppercut is one of the best punches I've ever thrown. I knew the fight was over as soon as it landed because his eye was really bad."
The uppercut Canelo refers to broke Saunders' orbital bone, forcing him to withdraw in the eighth round.
Interestingly, Canelo didn't hold back when expressing his feelings about Saunders:
"Billy Joe Saunders – that f***er p***ed me off, that's why he got what he deserved. Some fighters talk to sell a fight, but I think he's a bad person and I really enjoyed beating that guy."
This candid admission reveals Saunders as the opponent Canelo disliked the most throughout his career.
Canelo's recent dominance at 168lbs has been impressive. He's notched up victories against top contenders like Gennady Golovkin, Callum Smith, and Caleb Plant. His win against Plant in November 2021 cemented his status as the undisputed king of the super middleweight division.
Looking ahead, Canelo's got a busy schedule. He'll face IBF super middleweight champion William Scull in May, aiming to become undisputed world champion at 168lbs for the second time. There's also talk of a mega-fight with Terence 'Bud' Crawford later this year.
As Canelo reflects on his 20-year journey, it's clear that his passion for the sport hasn't dimmed. In a previous interview with The Guardian, he emphasized his enduring love for boxing and his desire to make history. With his upcoming fights, it looks like Canelo's not done writing his legacy just yet.
