Mexican star says lack of experience, not ability, defined 2013 defeat to Floyd Mayweather
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez says experience, not ability, was the difference in his 2013 loss to Floyd Mayweather. The former champion reflected on the fight during an interview with Oso Trava.
Alvarez faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, taking on the unbeaten pound-for-pound leader at just 23. The fight, billed as “The One,” saw Mayweather control the action with defense, timing, and counterpunching, leaving Canelo struggling to land clean shots. The result was a majority decision for Mayweather, though one judge’s draw drew criticism at the time.
Saul Alvarez said he believed he had the tools to win that night but lacked the seasoning needed for that stage.
“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,” Canelo said to Oso Trava. “It hurt me a lot. It hits your ego as a fighter… maybe I went through some level of depression.”
Canelo said that time alone helped him reset his thinking after the loss, reminding himself he had been beaten by the best fighter in the sport at that time.
“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,” Alvarez said. “That’s not going to stop me from being the best in the world one day.”
Asked what he was missing back then, Alvarez pointed to confidence built through experience in major fights.
“Confidence, more fights in those kinds of scenarios, because it’s different. That would have helped me win,” said Canelo.
More than a decade later, Alvarez is again coming off a defeat. He is expected to return in September following his loss to Terence Crawford for the undisputed super middleweight titles.
The fight took place in September 2013 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
