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From Hatton to Ryder: Saul 'Canelo's Alvarez's stunning 8-0 record vs UK opponents. Who has he beaten?
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is a two-time undisputed super-middleweight champion again after he downed William Scull in Saudi Arabia.
The Cuban was the latest foe to fall against the Mexican, who has built a reputation for taking on the best of Britain too - and beating them all.
With an unblemished 8-0 record against British opposition, Canelo has earned the affectionate moniker ‘Brit Basher’.
Now, as a potential fight with Chris Eubank Jr. figures for 2026 and beyond, here is a look back at every time Canelo fought a transatlantic foe.
Matthew Hatton
In his first attempt at a world title, Canelo faced the younger brother of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton, Matthew.
The younger Hatton had, at the time, defended his European welterweight title twice before going to Anaheim, California, to face the Mexican superstar.
They fought in 2011 for the vacant WBC super welterweight title and Canelo put on a masterclass, outpointing Hatton 119-108 on all three scorecards.
Ryan Rhodes
Getty Images
Three months after his first win against a British fighter, the Mexican would defend his newly captured WBC title against veteran Ryan Rhodes.
Canelo showed his defensive mastery and powerful counter punching to put Rhodes on the canvas in the fourth round before the referee called an end to the fight in the twelfth.
Amir Khan
In 2016, after reclaiming the green-and-gold middleweight strap against his compatriot Miguel Cotto the year before, Alvarez faced one of Britain’s brightest stars in Amir Khan.
Khan was foraying up two weight divisions from his previous fight and three from where he had won his first world title at the age of 22.
Khan started well, demonstrating his lightning-fast hand speed and footwork in the first five rounds.
However, Canelo waited for an opening and in the sixth round he detonated an overhand right that instantly ended the fight and won him knockout of the year.
Liam Smith
Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Next up was a unification bout with Liam Smith, who held the WBO middleweight title. Smith was undefeated and well known as a durable and relentless fighter.
Smith fought admirably and tried to take the fight to Canelo, but the Mexican once again showed his level, overcoming a cut in the second round to put Smith down twice with body shots before finishing the fight in the ninth.
Rocky Fielding
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Two years later in 2018, Canelo would bulldoze Rocky Fielding in the third round at Madison Square Garden for the WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title in his first fight at the weight.
Fielding was the much bigger man, but he could not stop the advance of Canelo who unloaded power punches at will, dropping Rocky in every round and finally finishing the fight with a left hook to the body.
Callum Smith
Ed Mulholland/MatchroomBoxing
Not only was Canelo taking out Brits, he was also targeting families. Callum Smith, younger brother of Liam, was hoping to put an end to Alvarez’s undisputed ambitions in 2020 and claim the vacant WBC world super-middleweight title.
Smith was, however, forced into his shell on the night, unable to use his long jab as a deterrent and lost a wide decision, becoming another name added to the growing list of Brits who were unable to match the Mexican.
Billy Joe Saunders
Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing
At the AT&T stadium in 2021, with 73,000 in attendance, and now the unified super-middleweight champion, Canelo set his sights on the undefeated WBO champion Saunders.
Saunders's slick southpaw style and slippery head movement were something that Canelo had not faced before.
It was a nervy start to the fight – Saunders had a few close calls as Canelo was looking for powerful single punch counters.
Just as the Brit had looked to be building confidence, he got hit with a crushing right uppercut that fractured his eye socket and won Canelo the fight.
John Ryder
Melina Pizano/Matchroom
The latest in line from the UK to try and break the Canelo curse was John Ryder.
Canelo was now the undisputed king of the super middleweights and Ryder, at the back end of his career, was hoping for a final flourish.
Ryder’s toughness and unwillingness to give up, lasted him all twelve rounds of the fight, suffering a broken nose along the way and absorbing the best Canelo had to offer. However, he still lost a unanimous decision.
Fighting in the UK seems to be in the works for Alvarez, as he has hinted at himself. Eubank Jr is rumoured to be his next target – can he put an end to the ‘Brit Basher’ or is he just another notch on the belt?
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