Canelo Alvarez finds himself under scrutiny following his recent defeat to Terence Crawford. Critics, including former champion Joe Calzaghe, have questioned Alvarez's legacy and whether he truly belongs among boxing's all-time greats.
Alvarez, who boasts an impressive 63-3-2 record, hasn't escaped skepticism. Calzaghe, a retired undefeated fighter with titles in multiple weight classes, argued that Alvarez’s losses could not be ignored. He noted Alvarez's important career defeats marked blemishes that tarnish his position in history.
Critics have pointed specifically to Alvarez’s past struggles against elite opponents like Floyd Mayweather and Gennadiy Golovkin. In a candid assessment, Calzaghe remarked that although Alvarez achieved substantial victories over the years, he often faltered against top-tier rivals. These perspectives gained traction after Crawford handed Alvarez his latest setback in the ring.
"I wouldn't put him as an all-time great because he lost his most important fights," Calzaghe shared recently. "He's still a great fighter. He's had great wins, but against the elite fighters, he lost, didn't he?"
His challenges haven't ended with recent criticisms. Following elbow surgery in October and another year on contract with Sheikh Turki Alalshikh, questions linger about how long Canelo can compete at the highest level without jeopardizing his health further or risking being defeated by less notable fighters.
Calzaghe also warned: "He lost to Mayweather and I definitely think he lost one of the fights against Golovkin... If you keep on fighting, you're going to lose; time catches up with everyone."
While Alvarez remains a celebrated figure in the sports world for his remarkable achievements thus far, it's clear that conversations around his legacy are far from settled as both fans and analysts debate his place within boxing’s illustrious history.
