Canelo Alvarez is deemed to be amongst the greatest super-middleweights of all time, but one former ruler of the division has declared that the Mexican would not be able to survive in his era.
Alvarez became the first undisputed super-middleweight champion of all time and captured all four titles within an 11-month period.
Then, after vacating the IBF title over three years later, the four-division world champion won it back with a unanimous decision triumph over William Scull seeing him become a two-time undisputed 168lb ruler.
Despite being the first to achieve those accolades, the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Sugar Ray Leonard have also graced the super-middleweight scene and both are considered to be amongst the best pound-for-pound fighters of all time.
In an interview with FightHype, James Toney was quizzed on whether he believes Canelo could have competed in any era in the history of boxing and ‘Lights Out’ was quick to dismiss the 36-year-old’s chance of success in other periods.
“Canelo is a good fighter, but all of these guys today ain’t lasting in our era or the 70s or the 60s – hell no! The 80s? Tommy Hearns? [Marvin] Hagler? Hell no!”
Toney competed at 168lbs throughout the 1990s, making several world title defences before he suffered his first professional defeat to Jones Jr in 1994.
As for Canelo, after reclaiming the WBC super-middleweight world title with a win over Christian Mbilli last time out, the Mexican superstar is understood to be considering a move up to light-heavyweight in order to further his claim to the pound-for-pound throne.
Alvarez also remains hopeful that he could secure the opportunity to avenge his 2025 defeat to Terence Crawford; where he was beaten for the first time as a 168lber.
