Canelo Alvarez has explained he was unable train at 100 per cent for his shock defeat to Dmitry Bivol.
The Mexican star made a step-up to 175lb in May having previously earned all the marbles at 168lb with victory over Caleb Plant. However Alvarez was simply outclassed by a superb display from Bivol who was able to neutralise any trademark aggression from his rival.
Alvarez has since dismissed any claims that playing golf throughout his preparations was a key reason for his surprise loss. “I lost because I lost because I lost, not because of golf or nothing,” said Canelo Alvarez to Fight Hub TV when explaining his reflective thoughts on the defeat. “I was golfing three years ago, and I won the undisputed [super middleweight] championship, so that’s not the reason [I lost to Bivol].