Recent discussions around a potential matchup between Canelo Alvarez, the unified super middleweight champion, and MMA superstar Conor McGregor have sparked interest among fans of both boxing and MMA. Alvarez clarified in an interview with IFL TV that while he hasn’t confirmed any fight with McGregor, he hasn’t ruled it out either.
Alvarez mentioned, “No, I didn’t say that. They asked me if I was able to fight McGregor at some point and I said you never say no.” When pressed about his stance on facing McGregor, Alvarez cryptically responded, “I can’t say no. Maybe, I don’t know.”
Although Alvarez admitted that a fight with McGregor may not align with his career goals, he expressed willingness to entertain the idea, particularly if it comes with substantial financial incentives. “It’s not something I want for my legacy. But if it’s for a lot of money, why not,” he stated.
McGregor’s boxing experience is limited to one professional bout, a defeat against Floyd Mayweather in 2017, despite his success in MMA where he held titles in two weight classes. Notably, McGregor has not competed in MMA since his loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021.
While Alvarez’s next fight is scheduled for Cinco de Mayo next year, his opponent remains undisclosed. Possible matchups being discussed include Terence Crawford, the welterweight champion now fighting at 154 lbs, and Dmitry Bivol, who previously defeated Alvarez in 2022 at light heavyweight.
Although the likelihood of a fight between Alvarez and McGregor may seem remote, Alvarez’s interest underscores the ongoing appeal of crossover fights in the combat sports world. Fans will have to wait and see if this intriguing possibility materializes into a reality.
