Canelo Alvarez is a spectacular boxer and his respect in the game is unmatched. Alvarez has engaged in a total of 62 bouts, and he’s fought a list of challenging boxers throughout his boxing career. He’s lost two bouts against Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol. He’s also had a trilogy fight against Gennadiy Golovkin. But even amongst these three fighters, the boxer who scared Alvarez the most with his punching power is unexpected. Ahead of Golovkin vs Alvarez 3, Canelo revealed the name of the hardest-punching boxer that he’s faced in his entire career.

Even though he won the fight by a Knockout, Alvarez gave the memento of ‘the hardest punching opponent’ to James Kirkland. This boxing fight may have been a short one, but it was definitely one of the most entertaining fights. And this was the third fight for Alvarez after the Mayweather loss. Hence it is safe to say that ‘Cinnamon’ was still going through his redemption phase.

Why did Canelo name Kirkland as the hardest hitter?

The fight was won by Alvarez by KO in just the third round. Kirkland was dropped three times and then eventually he was knocked out as Alvarez landed a clean right hook on Kirkland’s chin. Kirkland was swinging his left hook, which gave an opening for Alvarez to land the perfectly timed right hand. After getting hit, Kirkland landed on his back and was stunned. Canelo admitted that Kirkland threw very strong punches, and it was the strongest he’s felt.

‘Cinnamon’ revealed this fact in an interview with Fight Hype, ahead of him and Gennadiy Golovkin’s third bout. He stated, “Kirkland. He is little but I felt the punch right here [his forearm] and I think, ‘Oh my god.'”

There is no doubt that Kirkland is a heavy hitter. He’s won 34 bouts in a total of 37 bouts, out of which his 30 wins have come by of knockouts. The Southpaw boxer has no problem putting down his opponents with his fierce power. As he holds a knockout percentage of 88%. Canelo Alvarez is yet to face a harder puncher since Kirkland, but many boxing fans reckon that Alvarez’s biggest challenge could be the David Benavidez fight.

Canelo Alvarez doesn’t want to fight David Benavidez before the Bivol fight

Canelo Alvarez will be fighting next on May 6th after completing the trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin. He will be taking up John Ryder in his homecoming fight, where he’ll be fighting in his hometown after almost 12 years. On the other hand, Alvarez’s biggest challenger David Benavidez has come forth victorious over Caleb Plant and is calling out ‘Cinnamon’ for a bout.

But Alvarez has clearly stated that he would not be fighting Benavidez before he redeems his loss against Dmitry Bivol. He wants to overcome this major hurdle in his career before he gets inside the ring with Benavidez. But many boxing fans are criticizing Alvarez for not facing ‘The Mexican Monster’.

Read More: “He Got Memory Loss From Both Beatings”: Fans Slam Canelo Alvarez for Floyd Mayweather, Dmitry Bivol Remarks

Alvarez is moving unfazed, as currently, his goal is to give his best performance in front of his family and friends on his home turf. He wants to give the people of Jalisco, Mexico a good fight against John Ryder. What are your thoughts about Canelo Alvarez calling James Kirkland the hardest puncher? Let us know in the comments section.

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