Canelo Alvarez names the hardest puncher he’s ever faced and it’s not Gennadiy Golovkin or Floyd Mayweather

Canelo Alvarez is well qualified to discuss hard punchers following many high-[profile nights inside the ring against some of boxing’s hardest hitters. 

Set for another huge year in the sport as he’s constantly linked to fights with the likes of Jake Paul, Canelo Alvarez, and David Benavidez, the Mexican superstar knows what it takes to get the job done on the grandest occasions. 

During a legendary career where Canelo has faced some of the modern era’s biggest punchers, Canelo, due to his tough chin, has yet to hit the floor. 

Despite that incredible accolade, Canelo has been tested several times as he’s stepped into the ring with renowned hitters such as Sergey Kovalev and Gennadiy Golovkin. 

Canelo withstood everything Golovkin had to throw at him over three memorable fights as he ran out a big winner of the series with two wins against one draw. 

Moving to light heavyweight in 2019, Canelo went in with Kovalev, one of the division's most dangerous fighters, but he was able to get the job done with a late stoppage. 

Now considered a veteran with almost 70 fights to his name, who does Canelo consider the biggest puncher he ever faced? 

The answer is not Golovkin or Golovkin, and it’s not Floyd Mayweather or Dmitry Bivol either, the only two boxers to ever defeated Canelo. 

“Everybody can say Golovkin, but I never felt that bad like Kirkland,” said Canelo when speaking to the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast in 2024. 

“Kirkland hit my arms, and it felt like rocks. I say I need to finish this guy right now, because he’s going to hit me all the fight around.” 

Canelo faced James Kirkland in 2015 and after experiencing the Texan’s power he didn't want to hang around and feel more. 

Kirkland was dropped in the opening session before Canelo made certain of the victory in round three