Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is one of the most respected fighters in the sport and he recently gave a British star some advice.
Alvarez, who is now 35 years old and in the autumn of his career, cut a striking figure in a white fur coat at the annual Ring Magazine awards in New York recently. He has not fought since he lost undisputed super-middleweight status to Terence Crawford last summer, but over the course of his career has won numerous belts in four weight classes. After his loss to Crawford, he underwent surgery, which has kept him out of action.
The Mexican icon turned professional at just 15 and won his maiden world title at 20, and has spent more than a decade fighting the best available opponents, all while building a global following. He has taken on several Brits in his time, beating the likes of Amir Khan, Ryan Rhodes, Billy Joe Saunders, John Ryder, Rocky Fielding and Liam Smith.
In New York, he was captured giving some advice to new British world champion, Dalton Smith
“You need to train harder OK. It’s just the beginning.”
Smith won the WBC super-lightweight title in early January after beating Subriel MatÃas by knockout in the 5th round. It was his 19th fight and 19th win, having also beaten the likes of Jose Zepeda and Sam Maxwell on his way to the top. The Matias win stands as one of the great achievements on away soil by a UK boxer, with the Sheffield man impressively beating Matias at his own game, punch-for-punch.
The 28 year old form Sheffield is expected to make his first defence in mid-2026, with mandatory challenger Alberto Puello the likely foe. It is here where Canelo’s advice comes into play, as that is no easy touch. Fight fans also continue to talk up a grudge match with Adam Azim, though Smith has told his rival that he must earn his shot.
