The sight of Canelo Alvarez shadow boxing in a recent social media post will be welcome news for his vast fanbase, though the jury remains out on whether he can return to his very best.
Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) underwent elbow surgery not long after his defeat to Terence Crawford last September, a loss that ended his reign as undisputed super-middleweight champion. Despite pre-fight speculation about Crawford’s supposed size disadvantage, the American silenced doubters with a skilful, authoritative display, matching the former champion physically as well as technically.
The decorated Mexican will turn 36 in July and, while talk of retirement has surfaced, it does not appear to be imminent. His rehabilitation forced him to withdraw from a vacant IBF title bout against unbeaten Cuban Osleys Iglesias, but all indications suggest Alvarez intends to fight on, with his career now just two bouts shy of the 70-fight mark.
Floyd Mayweather Jr, who famously defeated Alvarez in 2013 to claim the WBA and WBC super-welterweight titles, was recently asked by TMZ Sports whether his former opponent is now “washed up” following the emphatic loss to Crawford.
“I don’t know. Boxing is a lot of wear and tear on the body. Maybe so. I’m not really sure.”
Mayweather retired in August 2017 but has remained active on the exhibition circuit, with rumours continuing to circulate about potential match-ups against Manny Pacquiao or even Mike Tyson, who turns 59 in June.
For Alvarez, however, the pull of elite competition appears harder to ignore. Mexican fighting pride has never been easily extinguished, and for now Canelo looks set to continue carrying his nation’s flag — gloves on, and future still unwritten.
