Canelo Alvarez says he is ready to face Floyd Mayweather in a rematch if the former pound-for-pound king decides to return to boxing.
Mayweather is the only man to defeat Alvarez in 53 professional fights. He claimed a majority decision to win their super welterweight showdown in 2013.
The American retired for the second time following his record-equalling win over Andre Berto in 2015. But returned two years later for a one-off comeback fight against UFC star Conor McGregor.
Alvarez has since conquered the middleweight division. Canelo has replaced Mayweather as boxing’s biggest pay-per-view star.
“Anytime he’s ready, I’m ready,’’ Alvarez eagerly responded when asked by USA Today if he would be willing to face Mayweather a second time.
“If the day comes that he wants to come out of retirement for it, I’m a different fighter. I’m more mature, I’m a great, A-level fighter now and it would be a great opportunity.”
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The Mexican ended the 20-fight reign of middleweight kingpin Gennady Golovkin in September. Next month in New York will step up to 160 pounds against Rocky Fielding in a bid to become a three-weight world champion.
However, revenge over Mayweather in a rematch has never been far from the 28-year-old’s thoughts.
“I’ve always had that little itch for (a rematch) since way back. Now I’m more experienced and more mature. It’s a fight that maybe will happen and will be a great experience.”
Mayweather teased fight fans by claiming – on the eve of Alvarez’s rematch with Golovkin – he was making a comeback to face Manny Pacquiao in a rematch.
The 41-year-old has since announced, and cancelled, before re-confirming a three-round exhibition match against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa scheduled for New Year’s Eve.
Alvarez, meanwhile, believes another showdown with Mayweather could happen. He has already given some thought as to how he would defeat the former five-time world champion.
“To fight a fighter like him and to beat him would be totally different because now we have to get speed into the mix and do everything that’s possible to do it, to accomplish that goal of winning.
“We would have to work hard and get a lot of punches in with speed and more velocity. If the fans want it, if the people want it and it’s in demand, it totally could happen.”
