CANELO ALVAREZ would knock out a prime Floyd Mayweather, his training partner Ryan Garcia has claimed.
The four-weight world champion took on Money in September 2013 when he was a fresh-faced 23-year-old.
Floyd Mayweather got the better of Canelo Alvarez seven years ago – when the Mexican was aged just 23Credit: Getty
Ryan Garcia reckons this version of Canelo Alvarez would beat a prime Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty
Mayweather, however, proved to be a bridge too far for the then-unbeaten Canelo, who was outboxed for 12 rounds on his way to suffering a unanimous decision defeat.
The Mexican has come on leaps and bounds since that loss, going on to claim titles at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight.
And Garcia reckons this current version of Canelo, rated as the best lb-for-lb boxer in the world, would wipe the floor with the Mayweather of old.
In an interview with ESPN, the interim WBC lightweight champion said of a fantasy fight between the pair: “Canelo wins.
“At his best, he is much smarter and knows how to manoeuvre in the ring much better.
“Pretty Boy was good but if he went directly against Canelo, he would be knocked out. He would have to box and [Saul] is a big guy by nature.”
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Garcia has immense respect for Mayweather’s skills inside the ring, although he’s not a fan of how he conducted himself once he made it to the top of the sport.
He said: “What I had a problem with [when it came to] Floyd was how he represented himself when he got to the top.
“He threw around the image of glorifying money. I don’t like that.”
Despite being soundly beaten by Mayweather, Canelo is adamant things would be different if they were to share the ring again.
Canelo Alvarez believes he’d get the better of Floyd Mayweather second time aroundCredit: Getty – Contributor
The Mexican superstar said: “It’s different now. I’m [a] different fighter. I think he’s good too but I’m a different fighter now.
“Maybe [it would be a] different fight.”
Canelo, 30, is currently preparing for his February 27 defence of the WBA (Super), WBC, and Ring super-middleweight titles, which he’ll defend against mandatory challenger Anvi Yildirim.
Mayweather, meanwhile, was set to be in action a week earlier against YouTuber Logan Paul, who he was scheduled to meet in an exhibition fight.
The contest, however, has been postponed and currently doesn’t have a new date.
Canelo Alvarez looks sharp on heavy bag as he prepares for ring return against Avni Yıldırım
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
