Over the weekend, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez managed to do something that did not come as a shocker to the world. In accordance with popular predictions, Alvarez emerged victorious against an underdog, Jermell Charlo. With his signature precision cuts, footwork, and striking calm presence, the boxer successfully defended his super-middleweight titles against Charlo. While most predicted a win by knockout, the fight took its entire course and in the end, the Mexican fighter retained his belts through a unanimous decision.

With each round that passed in Alvarez’s favor, the boxing realm slipped into a nostalgic spiral. In his bid to further his boxing prowess, the boxer showed no mercy to his opponent. He put Charlo in the same position he was in 10 years ago. In 2013, a 23-year-old Canelo went against the iconic fighter of the time, Floyd Mayweather. Then the underdog, Canelo, lost to Mayweather through a scathing majority decision. When parallels were drawn between today’s Canelo, and then’s Mayweather, the latter had some things to say.

“That Canelo is trying to fight like me now?” Floyd Mayweather rebukes Canelo.

In an interview with The Drink Champs, ‘Money’ Mayweather was asked if he saw any similarities between the way Canelo conducts himself today to how Mayweather conducted himself 10 years ago. Responding to the question, Money opened by saying, “That Canelo is trying to fight like me now?” Further, he systematically rebuked every statement that drew parallels between the two fighters.

First, he answered those critics who undermined his win against Canelo, citing that the former was merely 23 against Money, who was 33. He said, “When I was young, I was beating guys older to me not quite my age, let’s say when I was 21 I was fighting a guy 30.” Elucidating further he argued that the Canelo who fought him in 2013 was still in his prime, hence, his argument that he went against a much older fighter stood no ground.

The Mexican fighter has often pushed for rigorous drug testing in the boxing realm. When he tested positive for a prescription drug in 2018, he cleared his name saying that it happened after consuming contaminated meat. In the wake of this incident, he’s always volunteered for drug tests.

Commenting on this, Mayweather argued that it was he who started it all before Canelo. He said, “I’m the first one to talk about random blood/urine testing for sports period. When I talked about random blood and urine testing, I said I have to do it also to show the world that when I compete it’ll be on even playing field.”

Money’s argument to prove that he indeed is much more adept than Canelo had fans talking.

Ten years later, fans pick sides yet again

In response to Mayweather’s argument that Canelo was in his prime when he lost to him, a user rebutted saying that even today the latter remains in his prime. They commented, “Canelo prime then Canelo prime now doesn’t matter at no point in his career could he beat Floyd.”

However, another user further gave evidence to ‘Pretty Boy’ Mayweather’s argument. They said, “Canelo had 42 wins Mayweather had 44 at the time let’s not forget canelo was experienced.”

Another user took shots at Mayweather for presenting such an elaborate case, supporting his claim of being a better fighter than Canelo. The user said, “Mayweather is so annoying! When someone is the best they don’t have to plead their case … they just are! He talks too much!”

But on the other end of the spectrum stood a fan who remembered the devastating loss Canelo suffered that night. They said, “Canelo was wet behind the ears lol.”

Also Read: “Floyd Is Telling Him How Great Floyd Is”: Mayweather Schooling Jermell Charlo After Canelo Alvarez Loss Draws Mixed Response from Fans

Still active in the boxing realm, Canelo Alvarez is left with a few more years before he hangs his gloves. Mayweather, on the other hand, sought retirement in 2017. Despite having parted ways, the rivals still are still pitted against each other. One of the most lethal rivalries in boxing history, their fight remains golden to the boxing legacy.

Who do you think is a better fighter? Mayweather or Canelo? Let us know in the comments section below.

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