Canelo Alvarez brands Conor McGregor “crazy” as he offers timeline for fight

16 August 2023 , 15:58

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Canelo Alvarez is a multiple weight world champion (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Canelo Alvarez felt Conor McGregor's claim that he would face him in a massive crossover bout was "crazy", and believes that such a fight couldn't happen until he's retired.

The Irishman told media including Mirror Fighting back in May that he would face Alvarez "no f***ing problem", and indicated that he had discovered flaws in the boxing icon's game while watching him face Billy Joe Saunders and John Ryder. That he handed both men life-altering beatings that have left both out of the ring since didn't seem to concern McGregor, who is 0-1 as a boxer.

McGregor is currently recovering from a broken leg and is expected to face Michael Chandler at the end of the year following a season of coaching against the American on The Ultimate Fighter. But he has claimed that he will box again after losing his debut to Floyd Mayweather in a ginormous 2017 crossover which drew the second-most money in fight history.

But Alvarez appeared less interested when asked about the possibility of such a bout by Mirror Fighting at Tuesday's New York launch press conference for his undisputed title defence against Jermell Charlo. "He's crazy," he responded to McGregor's callout before saying they could fight "maybe when I retire".

McGregor was adamant that he could cause Alvarez problems, saying back in May: “I saw Ryder - I’m a southpaw, John Ryder’s a southpaw, Billy Joe Saunders is a southpaw. I’ve seen methods, I’ve seen things I do, and I know he’s waning. I’d fight Canelo no f***ing problem.”

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Conor McGregor felt Canelo Alvarez showed weaknesses in his vicious win over John Ryder (Getty Images)

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Back in 2020, weeks before the coronavirus pandemic forced him out for a year, McGregor told ESPN MMA ahead of his win over Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone that he plans to win a world title in the ring. "I want to box again," he said. "I will box again. I will get a boxing world title. I will box multiple times. I love boxing. I truly love boxing, and I’m damn good.”

However, he must first make a successful return to the octagon against Chandler. The pair were due to have a December fight date officially announced by the end of last night's TUF finale. But that didn't materialise, and it remains to be seen when they will make the bout official.

Donagh Corby