For Mike Tyson there is no better time to get to know a boxer than in defeat, because that is where you measure what they are made of, so since the Mexican Saúl Canelo Álvarez lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2013, he has kept track of him.
"I've been his fan since day one... I can appreciate a fighter more when he loses than when he wins. He, despite his youth, didn't lose focus after he lost to Floyd Mayweather. He's a fighter, a real fighter," said Iron Mike in an interview over the weekend in Las Vegas where the Mexican defeated undefeated Caleb Plant by knockout in 11 rounds to take the IBF title, unifying the entire super middleweight division and becoming the first unified champion with tricolour blood.
Another reason why the heavyweight legend, who terrorised his rivals in the 1990s, said he admires the 31-year-old fighter is because he understands the boxing business and knows how to exploit his resources to take his career to the next level, referring to his free agency and how he defends it so as not to lose his freedom.
"He runs his own show and I expect very good things for his future. He's a very good businessman," he explained.
Through a lawsuit in 2020, Canelo won his contractual freedom after cutting any ties with his previous promoter, Mexican-American Oscar de la Hoya, and since that time he has worked with different promoters and television stations. Three bouts with Matchroom Boxing and DAZN, and the fight with Plant under the promotion of Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime.
However, there is one element that Tyson does not believe will be easy for Canelo and that is the constant competition - by fan comparisons - between Julio Cesar Chavez Gonzalez and the current Mexican champion, who still expects to be competing for at least seven years.
"[I know there are comparisons between the two] but with all due respect it would be almost impossible. Although I know that everything is possible that is almost impossible to do. However, if anyone has a chance to do it I'm sure Canelo can," he said.
"I've been his fan since day one... I can appreciate a fighter more when he loses than when he wins. He, despite his youth, didn't lose focus after he lost to Floyd Mayweather. He's a fighter, a real fighter," said Iron Mike in an interview over the weekend in Las Vegas where the Mexican defeated undefeated Caleb Plant by knockout in 11 rounds to take the IBF title, unifying the entire super middleweight division and becoming the first unified champion with tricolour blood.
Another reason why the heavyweight legend, who terrorised his rivals in the 1990s, said he admires the 31-year-old fighter is because he understands the boxing business and knows how to exploit his resources to take his career to the next level, referring to his free agency and how he defends it so as not to lose his freedom.
"He runs his own show and I expect very good things for his future. He's a very good businessman," he explained.
Through a lawsuit in 2020, Canelo won his contractual freedom after cutting any ties with his previous promoter, Mexican-American Oscar de la Hoya, and since that time he has worked with different promoters and television stations. Three bouts with Matchroom Boxing and DAZN, and the fight with Plant under the promotion of Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime.
However, there is one element that Tyson does not believe will be easy for Canelo and that is the constant competition - by fan comparisons - between Julio Cesar Chavez Gonzalez and the current Mexican champion, who still expects to be competing for at least seven years.
"[I know there are comparisons between the two] but with all due respect it would be almost impossible. Although I know that everything is possible that is almost impossible to do. However, if anyone has a chance to do it I'm sure Canelo can," he said.