Teddy Atlas names the three fights Canelo should have lost: “I don’t think many would disagree”

Teddy Atlas has not minced his words in the past when it comes to branding Saul “Canelo” Alvarez as “overrated.”

The Mexican is the reigning unified champion in super middleweight, the fourth division in which he was champion during a 65-fight season with only two losses.

Still, Atlas has often said that Alvarez is overrated overall, and he also disagreed when he was named the greatest Mexican boxer of all time, given that he competed against the likes of Salvador Sanchez and Julio Cesar Chavez.

In his speech on Fight Hub TV, Atlas reiterated his statements.

“That's honest, that's true. I think he was overrated. They took it as if I said he wasn't that good. No, I didn't say that. If you make him number one, given the history of champions you have in this country, wow, you better know what you're talking about.”

The former trainer turned expert then explained the five fights that he believes “Canelo” lost.

“He hasn't established himself and earned that spot yet. I know he's won a lot of titles, but he's also picked guys who should win a lot of those titles. When he then went with a really legitimate guy like [Dmitry] Bivol lost 11 or 12 rounds. Against Mayweather he lost every round. I know he was younger but it was still a loss. I thought he lost to Lara, I thought it was very close, like a one point fight. I think he lost to Triple G in the first fight, I don't think many people, even Mexicans, would disagree with me.

I thought he lost the second fight to Triple G, a different fight. In the first fight, Triple G pressured him, pushed him, fought on the inside and won the fight. I thought he won the fight pretty effortlessly. The second time, Canelo was the one who was pressing, he had grown, become more confident and mature, but I thought Triple G fought enough in the right spaces to use the jab and he used the jab great enough to win enough rounds to win the fight.”

Atlas has also said that if “Canelo” really wants to prove himself, he needs to fight David Benavidez, which he will do if the money is right. In the meantime, he returns to the ring on September 14 against undefeated Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga.