Mayweather vs. Alvarez: Canelo Should Be Encouraged Despite Defeat

Canelo Alvarez is no longer undefeated. He's not perfect. He's not the best boxer in the world. He's not "The One."

Despite these facts, the latest man to lose to Floyd Mayweather should be highly encouraged. Yes, a worldwide audience just watched him have his face beaten in by a man 13 years older than him. And yes, his record will take a hit. 

However, Canelo has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of from his performance on Saturday.

Given his imposing stature and accomplished career, it's easy to forget that Canelo is just 23-years-old. The guy was born in 1990, and he was just eight years old when Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather won his first world title.

To even be in the ring with Mayweather at this stage in his life is incredible. To give him a decent fight is even more so.

Alvarez was far from spectacular on Saturday, but he showed the promise that led him to this match in the first place. He was level-headed and composed throughout the fight, displaying maturity on the sport's biggest stage.

While Floyd made him look rather ordinary, Canelo proved that he can hang with the best in the world. He wasn't completely dominated for 12 rounds like Robert Guerrero, and he didn't get knocked out like Victor Ortiz and Ricky Hatton.

It's hard to pinpoint a round that Canelo definitely won, but at least he was in contention throughout.

He also didn't make any blatant errors, which is remarkable for such a young fighter facing an old master like Mayweather.

When the final bell sounded, I'm sure Canelo was disappointed. He'll be disappointed again in the morning, as he will be any time he thinks about this fight. But if Canelo is discouraged by his performance on Saturday, he doesn't realize just how impressive it was.