Where does Canelo Alvarez rank in the pantheon of fighters?
Where does Canelo Alvarez rank in the pantheon of fighters?
Canelo Alvarez is the boxer on everyone’s lips after his history-making win over Caleb Plant last weekend.
The Mexican brawler TKO’d his opponent in the 11th round to become the first-ever undisputed super middleweight world champion.
That is a feat that not even the undefeated Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, the only man to beat Canelo, could manage.
This victory means Canelo is firmly in the conversation when it comes to discussing who is the greatest super middleweight boxer of all time.
After getting Plant out of the ring at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the 31-year-old added the scalp of a 17th world champion to his fighting CV.
Canelo has won 57 of his 60 fights, two draws accompanying that 2013 loss to Mayweather when he was just 23.
Mayweather saw off 22 world champions in his glittering and mega rich career to lay claim to leave most regarding him as the division’s GOAT.
Canelo has won four world title bouts in the last 11 months and his hunger for the fight and challenging himself against the best of the best will cement his legacy.
Having sent Plant off to hospital after he was counted out, Canelo said: “I love challenges and whatever comes my way I’ll be ready for it.
“I’m looking for the best fights but it’s always important to defend your titles. But I really don’t have a timescale for sitting down with my team and thinking about it.
“Right now I’m just enjoying the moment. It was a truly historic night and I’m so proud to be part of it.
“At the moment I just want to enjoy this victory because it is really meaningful. We will then have time to think about the future.”
Canelo is the reigning pound-for-pound king and seemingly in a class of his own among active and competing boxers.
A guaranteed hall of famer, the Mexican still has plenty of chapters to write in an already illustrious career but could already be considered an all-time great.
After picking up world titles across four different weight classes, Canelo will be talked about in the same ilk as Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.
He can also lay claim to rivalling legends of the sport including Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sam Langford and Benny Leonard.
Canelo could further enhance his reputation by stepping up to light heavyweight and attempting to become the first boxer ever to be undisputed in two weight classes.
One thing is for sure, he is already in the conversation when it comes to the greatest fighters ever, but with time on his side there may not be much debate by the time he hangs up his gloves.
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