Canelo Reflects On The Mayweather Loss

Former undisputed middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez reflected on his 2013 clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr., citing a lack of experience as the deciding factor in his loss.

A 23-year-old Canelo faced a 36-year-old Mayweather, as he lost a unanimous decision. Mayweather controlled the distance and timing, leaving Canelo missing for much of the 12 rounds. While the fight was a masterclass for Mayweather, C.J. Ross’s 114-114 scorecard drew immense criticism and made it much closer.

Canelo Reacts

Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

The other two judges saw it clearly for Mayweather (116-112, 117-111). The loss forced Canelo to re-evaluate his approach to boxing. He noted that the defeat didn’t crush his confidence because he knew he had been beaten by the best in the world. Following that loss, Canelo only suffered defeats to Dmitry Bivol and Terence Crawford.

“I got extremely frustrated. I felt capable of beating the best in the world at 23 years old. And I was capable, I just didn’t have the right experience. It hurt me a lot. It hits your ego as a fighter… maybe I went through some level of depression. I didn’t lose to just anyone. I lost to the best in the world. I’m 23 years old, and he practically didn’t do anything to me. That’s not going to stop me from being the best in the world one day,” Canelo said 

Credit: Boxing Scene

Elsewhere, Alvarez will be ringside to watch his stablemate Jaime Munguia box Jose Armando Resendiz for the WBA middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">Super Middleweight Title. For the first time in years, Canelo is an observer rather than the main attraction of Cinco De Mayo. Canelo is currently sidelined following elbow surgery late last year, which opened the door for Benavidez and Ramirez to headline the traditional Cinco de Mayo slot.

This break snaps a four-year streak of Canelo headlining the May holiday, a run that concluded with his unanimous decision victory over William Scull on May 3, 2025, which saw him become a two-time undisputed 168-lb champion. Despite being sidelined, Canelo’s attendance is a powerful endorsement of Munguia. Since Munguia fully integrated into the Reynoso camp, he and Canelo have been frequent training partners.

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