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Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has advised TMZ Sports that he’s planning to continue fighting for several more years.
Canelo, 31-years-old, is back in the ring on May 7 in Las Vegas, when he returns to the light heavyweight division to challenge WBA champion Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs).
“I hope [I continue to stay in boxing for] a long time, because I’m gonna miss boxing when I’m retired. Right now, [I have] 6 years more, 7, 5, I don’t know,” Canelo told TMZ.
Canelo, who has a record of 57-1-2, went on to talk about his continued passion for the sport.
After becoming undisputed at super middleweight, he wants to accomplish the same result at 175-pounds.
“I love boxing. I love a challenge. I love that adrenaline. I need to accomplish everything to be in the books of history of boxing. That’s why I’m here and I love what I do,” Canelo said.
“When you see the best fighter go up and down a weight class and beat all the champions? I think nobody, and I try to do my best. For boxing, for me, for my legacy.
“[Dmitry’s] a really good boxer. He’s a solid champion at 175. It’s a dangerous fight. I like it, I love that kind of challenge. I really like it. But, I believe in my abilities, and I’m strong too. So, I’m confident in that, but it’s gonna be a really good fight.
“I like the idea to be undisputed at 175. That’s what I like, but you never know.”
WBC, IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will collide with WBO champion Joe Smith in June. Canelo could face the winner in an undisputed fight at the end of the year or in early 2023.
Should he overcome Bivol next month, Canelo will drop down to 168-pounds for a planned trilogy fight with career rival Gennadiy Golovkin on a date in September.