Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has fought, and beaten, a long list of British boxers.
In all, the Mexican former undisputed super middleweight world champion has fought 66 times and lost just twice, with 39 of his 62 wins coming by knockout.
Since turning over in 2005, Canelo has faced a total of eight Brits, and hasn’t lost to any of them. They are Matthew Hatton, who he beat by decision in 2011, Ryan Rhodes who he stopped later the same year, Amir Khan who he knocked out with a devastating overhand right in 2016, Liam Smith who he stopped with a body shot in 2016, Rocky Fielding who he beat in the third round in 2018, Callum Smith who he beat on points in 2020, and Billy Joe Saunders whose eye socket he broke with an uppercut to retain his WBA and WBC titles will adding the IBF strap to his collection.
Speaking to Seconds Out, ‘Canelo’ reflected on his last fight against a Brit, John Ryder, back in 2023 which went the full distance but saw him take a unanimous decision on the cards.
“We need to give him his credit. He came to fight, his preparation was very good. I respect the fight he did. He’s strong, he did everything in the ring and that’s what I expected. I saw him fighting with other guys and he’s top.”
He was then asked if Ryder was the best British fighter he’s fought.
“I think so, yeah.”
Next time out in May he faces William Scull as he attempts to reclaim the IBF title and become undisputed at super-middleweight for a second time, and later in the year he is set to challenge pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford.
