Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez was unable to gain revenge for his defeat to Terence Crawford, but it is not the only missed opportunity that still frustrates the Mexican.
Canelo suffered the third defeat of his professional career when he was outboxed by Crawford in September 2025, surrendering his undisputed super-middleweight championship to the American switch-hitter. Crawford would retire a few months later, leaving Alvarez disappointed that he would never have the chance to run it back.
While missing out on the Crawford rematch remains a disappointment, the Mexican has also revealed there is one other contest that still lingers in his mind. His first professional defeat came against Floyd Mayweather in 2013, and more than a decade later, he tells Ariel Helwani that it remains a thorn in his side.
“The rematch with Mayweather [is one I wish I had]. Right now it’s Crawford, but at that point it was the rematch with Mayweather. I think [it could have happened] like three, four years after. [It was] never [close]. No [he didn’t want it].
“I had no experience in that kind of fight – big fights.”
Canelo was just 23 years old when he stepped into the ring with Mayweather. Despite entering with an impressive 42-0-1 record, he was largely outclassed over 12 rounds, with Mayweather’s speed, accuracy and defensive brilliance earning him a majority decision victory.
The defeat proved to be a pivotal moment in Canelo’s career rather than a lasting setback. He rebuilt to become a four-weight world champion and one of boxing’s biggest stars, but the chance to avenge that loss never presented itself before Mayweather retired.
Regardless, the Mexican’s focus is now on getting back to winning ways. He returns to action in October to challenge Christian Mbilli, who was upgraded to WBC super-middleweight world champion after Crawford retired.
