Callum Smith Recalls What Floyd Mayweather Told Him About Canelo Alvarez Fight

Callum Smith got some advice about Canelo Alvarez when he met Floyd Mayweather three years ago.

Smith is set to defend his WBA super-middleweight title as well as challenge for the vacant WBC title when he faces Alvarez on Saturday in what is undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career.

Funnily enough, he got to pick the brains of Mayweather — the only man to inflict defeat on Alvarez — when they met three years ago during the latter’s U.K press tour.

Smith recalled some of the advice Mayweather gave him about fighting Alvarez.

“He was saying he rated him, that he was a good fighter,” Smith told talkSPORT. “He got him at a very good time, he was young and he’s gone on to do a lot since.

“But I remember him just saying, ‘Yeah, he was big, he was big and strong come fight night.’ I think he rated him as a fighter and what he’s going on and doing now.”

While Mayweather got Alvarez when he was young, Smith will be facing him while the Mexican is in his prime. Despite the size difference, Alvarez is also a big favorite heading into the fight.

However, Smith remains confident that he will get the job done.

“I’ve watched a lot of his fights over the years, you can take little bits from every fight, but stylistically I believe I get a different Canelo than we’ve seen before, and vice versa,” Smith explained. “He’s never fought anyone exactly like me and I’ve never, ever fought anyone like him.

“Top fighters adapt to their opponents, you’ll have to see a different version of him and a different version of me come fight night. But I have watched bits from each fight and Joe [Gallagher – trainer] sends me little bits to watch, little mistakes we feel he makes and good stuff he does that we need to be aware of.

“But I think tactically we’ll get it spot on and as long as I can stick to it and carry it out on the night, I’m confident I can come away with the win.”

Do you think Smith can come out with the victory?