Former Multi-Division Champ Weighs In On Canelo Alvarez vs. Floyd Mayweather

Former multi-division champion James Toney has shared his thoughts on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s career and his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In a recent interview with Elie Seckbach of EsNews, Toney was asked to comment about Alvarez’s only loss in his career. According to the boxing legend, Alvarez had no chance of winning against Mayweather as he was never on the undefeated champ’s level.

“I don’t think he [Alvarez] stease on Floyd [Mayweather],” Toney said.

Alvarez was only 22 years old when he faced the unbeaten Mayweather. Some believe that the former was still too young and inexperienced at the time to be able to edge a veteran like Mayweather. But for Toney, age is no excuse as he had knocked out former pound-for-pound king Michael Nunn in 1991 at 22.

“I was 22 when I fought Michael Nunn and [I] knocked his a— out,” he pointed out. “I put him to sleep in his hometown. He was pound-for-pound no. 1 but you know what? I knocked [him] out!”

In November last year, Alvarez stopped Sergey Kovalev to claim the WBO light heavyweight title, making him a four-division champion. Toney also did the same during his prime. He was a middleweight champ who moved up to cruiserweight and heavyweight and became a champion in both divisions as well.

When asked if he believes Alvarez can move up to cruiserweight and heavyweight like he did, Toney responded with a definitive “no,” adding, “He ain’t James Toney.”

In 2013, Alvarez attempted to put an end to Mayweather’s undefeated championship streak. However, he ended up losing via decision. Since then, “Money” has always boasted about his win, claiming he schooled the young “Canelo” for 12 rounds.

During a meet-and-greet session with fans in March, Mayweather said Alvarez was so easy for him that he and his team gave him a nickname that is evidently intended to insult his former rival over his defeat.

“Canelo was so easy. We call him ‘Ca-Lose-eO,’” he said.

Mayweather went on to mock Alvarez in front of his fans by asking one of his staff to demonstrate how the Mexican fighter tried to hit him during their fight. As the staff threw some punches at him, the American champ playfully dodged the punches, saying, “Who you gonn’ hit with that?”

Alvarez, on the other hand, is confident that he is now ready for a rematch against Mayweather. Shortly after beating Kovalev last year, Alvarez said, “It’s different now. I’m a different fighter. I think he’s good too but I’m a different fighter now.”