Canelo: I Still Feel I'm The Best

A loss to Dmitry Bivol has not dented the ego of boxing's biggest star.

Canelo Alvarez still believes he's still the best fighter in the world.

On May 7, Alvarez was dominated by Bivol in their WBA light heavyweight title bout in Las Vgeas, with Bivol winning a unanimous decision. While all three judges scored the bout 115-113 in favor of the Russian, most at ringside had Bivol winning at least nine of the 12 rounds.

After an unsuccessful second stint at 175-pounds, Alvarez is looking to get back in the win column against arch-nemesis Gennadiy Golovkin in their highly-anticipated trilogy bout September 17 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While their first two bouts took place at the middleweight limit of 160-pounds, the third one will be staged at 168, where Alvarez stands as undisputed champion.

The future Hall of Famer made it clear at a media workout on Monday that he still views himself as the No. 1 fighter in the world.

“I feel good,” Alvarez told ESNews. “I’m in a position where I don’t need to take risks. But I like challenges. I like challenges. That’s why I picked Bivol, because I like challenges. And I [lost]. That’s it.

“When I win, I cheer and everything [When] I lose, I keep moving forward, keep focus. But still I feel I’m still the best. Name a fighter who takes that kind of risk in that position—nobody. So I feel I’m the best.”

Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) and Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) have brought the best out of each other in their first two clashes. Their first encounter in September 2017 ended in a highly controversial split draw that a majority of ringside observers believed Golovkin had deserved. Alvarez was awarded a majority decision win in the second fight in an action-packed tilt.

The final battle could finally have a decisive victor and Alvarez aims to raise his hand in victory over Golovkin for a second straight time to close the final chapter to what has been an enthralling rivalry.