In a recent interview, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya reflected on one of the most talked-about fights in modern boxing history – the 2013 bout between Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. De La Hoya, who was promoting Canelo at the time, stated that the fight was not even close, and Mayweather dominated the young Mexican star.
De La Hoya’s Perspective
De La Hoya, who has long been a key figure in the boxing world, praised Mayweather’s boxing skills, calling his performance against Canelo a masterclass. “It wasn’t even close,” De La Hoya said. “Floyd just completely destroyed Canelo that night.” The fight, which took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, saw Mayweather win by unanimous decision in a lopsided contest. Despite Canelo’s youth, strength, and power, Mayweather’s superior defensive skills, speed, and ring IQ were on full display.
Canelo’s Youth vs. Mayweather’s Experience
At the time of the fight, Canelo was just 23 years old and was seen as one of the sport’s brightest rising stars. Mayweather, on the other hand, was 36 and already an undefeated champion with a reputation for being one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time. De La Hoya highlighted the significant experience gap between the two fighters, with Mayweather using his years of ring craft to completely outbox Canelo.
“This was a young Canelo, who had a lot of power and confidence, but he was in there with one of the greatest of all time,” De La Hoya said. “Floyd used his experience, his ring intelligence, and his speed to make Canelo look like a novice. Canelo wasn’t prepared for that level of skill.”
Canelo’s Growth Since the Loss
Despite the lopsided nature of the loss, Canelo has since grown into one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, securing multiple world titles across multiple weight classes. De La Hoya acknowledged Canelo’s growth, noting that the defeat to Mayweather was a pivotal moment in Canelo’s career, one that pushed him to evolve and refine his skills.
“Look at Canelo now,” De La Hoya said. “He’s a much better fighter, and he’s learned from that loss. But on that night, Floyd was just in a different league. He showed the world what boxing at the highest level looks like.”
Mayweather’s Legacy
De La Hoya also took the opportunity to praise Mayweather’s legacy as one of the greatest fighters in boxing history. “Floyd is a genius inside the ring,” De La Hoya said. “He knew exactly what he needed to do to beat Canelo. It wasn’t just about his physical skills; it was about his mental approach to the fight. He made Canelo fight his fight, and Canelo had no answer.”
Mayweather’s ability to neutralize Canelo’s power and offensive style with his defensive prowess and precision was the key to his victory. Mayweather’s performance against Canelo is often cited as one of the most brilliant boxing displays of the 21st century.
The Aftermath of the Fight
After the fight, Canelo and his team, including De La Hoya, quickly acknowledged Mayweather’s superiority on the night, but also vowed to come back stronger. And that is exactly what Canelo did. Over the next several years, Canelo evolved into a more complete fighter, honing his skills and adding new dimensions to his game. His wins over fighters like Gennady Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, and Billy Joe Saunders have solidified his legacy as one of the best in the sport.
As for Mayweather, his win over Canelo added to his undefeated record and cemented his place in boxing history. Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record and continues to be regarded as one of the best defensive fighters the sport has ever seen.
Conclusion
Oscar De La Hoya’s comments remind fans of the brilliance of Floyd Mayweather’s performance against Canelo Alvarez in 2013. While Canelo may have been outclassed on that night, his journey since then has proven that loss was a valuable learning experience. As for Mayweather, his domination of Canelo remains one of the most significant performances of his illustrious career, proving that experience and skill can often outweigh youth and power in the world of boxing.
