Canelo Alvarez did his best to stop the runaway notion that he’s a shot fighter. But after being forced to go the full 12 rounds with John Ryder in his most recent showing, Alvarez’s detractors have garnered even more ammunition.
On May 6th, in his hometown of Jalisco, Mexico, Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) was widely expected to take Ryder out of his misery before the sound of the final bell. That, however, never took place as the former WBO super middleweight interim tag holder flashed a granite chin and an underrated offensive package.
As many in boxing circles have claimed that the 32-year-old isn’t quite what he used to be, Errol Spence Jr. chimed in on his performance.
“He did alright from what I seen,” said Spence to ESNEWS during a one-on-one interview.
With Spence agreeing that Alvarez’s outing was ho-hum, the pound-for-pound star has quickly returned to the gym to sharpen his tools. His immediate plans, though not set in stone, are well-known.
Thirsty for more championship gold, the Mexican star abandoned his undisputed super middleweight throne and challenged Dmitry Bivol for his WBA light heavyweight title last year. His decision, by and large, was a disastrous one as Bivol scored a close but clear unanimous decision victory. Unwilling to concede that the Russian native is the better overall fighter, Alvarez has vowed to avenge his defeat in the second half of the year.
Regardless of who Alvarez eventually chooses to fight, Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) admits that he’s not only watching Alvarez as a fan but also, taking notes. At the moment, of course, Spence’s team is finalizing a deal behind the scenes with fellow champion, Terence Crawford. The hope is that the two will square off on July 29 in Las Vegas and finally crown the welterweight division with an undisputed champion.
Ultimately, a showdown against Crawford is prudent for Spence’s immediate goals. Nevertheless, in the not-so-distant future, the powerfully built southpaw likes the idea of facing off against Alvarez down the line.
“Yea, I’ll like it. I definitely like it but right now, my focus is not on Canelo at all.”
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