Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez continues to write his name into the boxing history books.
As the biggest active star in the sport, Alvarez has won world titles in four-weight classes and will look to become two-time undisputed in the super middleweight ranks on May 3 when he faces new IBF World Champion William Scull.
As someone who has lost just twice – Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol, both on points – in 66 professional contests, there is no argument Canelo will land a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame when all is said and done. Who on the wall does he consider as the best ever?
In an interview with GQ Magazine, the 34-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico, said this of Muhammad Ali:
“The best in the world. Of all time.”
Canelo is of course not alone in placing Ali at the top of the pile in a sport that has consistently produced outstanding athletes with captivating stories.
Formerly Cassius Clay, the heavyweight enigma from Louisville, Kentucky won Gold at 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and turned over to the paid ranks later that year. He became the world champion in his 20th fight, defeating the heavily favoured and feared Sonny Liston.
Ali would avenge defeats to Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and Leon Spinks, beating every man he faced in the ring before two years of inactivity saw him lose to both Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick on his return and subsequently retiring, much too late in the eyes of most.
As for Canelo’s campaign to become one of the best ever, should he beat Scull next month he will move straight into a September mega fight against fellow pound-for-pound star and four-weight champ, Terence Crawford.
