Canelo Alvarez Should Be Encouraged Despite Blemishing His Perfect Record

In the fight billed as simply “The One,” Floyd Mayweather Jr. took a decisive majority decision over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, increasing his winning record to an indomitable 45-0.

Prior to the matchup, there were those proposing that the Alvarez bout would be the toughest of Mayweather’s career in some years. However, in the end, Money dished out a fighting exhibition only someone of his pedigree seems capable of.

So clinical was the performance that C.J. Ross’s card score of 114-114 was deemed almost unconscionable, sullying the near-perfect performance that Money gave in a fight that broke the MGM Grand’s all-time gate record, taking in just over $20,003,150.

Showtime Sports was on hand to show us just who was deemed The One:

Despite the loss, there’s no need for Alvarez to stay glum for too long, having been bested by one of the greatest athletes sport is ever likely to see.

As ESPN.com's Dan Rafael noted, Mayweather himself supported such a notion:

"

Canelo is a young, strong champion. A great Mexican champion. I take my hat off to him and to Mexico. He can take a loss and bounce back.

Seventeen years and I'm still going strong. I think had I pressed the attack earlier, I could have gotten the stoppage, but I am very happy with my performance.

"

It’s the type of praise and humility that one perhaps doesn’t associate with Mayweather all too often. In his 17 years at the top, Money has more often been regarded for his ego, so to see him heap praise on Alvarez—even in the post-fight comments—is endearing.

At just 23 years of age, the Guadalajara native has assuredly got what promises to be a long and fruitful career ahead of him.

On Saturday night, the accuracy told the tale, as USA Today’s Bob Velin discloses that Mayweather finished with 46 percent of his punches hitting the target whereas Canelo could only muster a tally of 22 percent.

However, with 30 knockouts in his 42 wins so far, the Mexican’s strengths encouragingly played out in his favour. The youngster was able to land 232 power punches, while Mayweather settled for just 175.

Of course, that’s the 36-year-old’s way, picking his punches when only truly needed.

Having said that, Canelo can be proud of having gone the distance with Mayweather and being the first fighter to prevent the boxing great from winning on all three scorecards when going to the decision—controversial or not.

Now standing with a record of 42-1-1, Alvarez’s next bout will undoubtedly be a step down from his latest loss, making for an easier challenge altogether.

In fact, regardless of what stage of his career he’s in, there’s no telling whether or not Canelo will ever come up against a challenge as stiff as Mayweather.