Canelo hasn't won by knockout in almost four years. His new fighting style has sparked a debate: is he protecting his legacy or sacrificing the spectacle?

Canelo and the decision not to knock out

Canelo Álvarez has not won a fight by knockout in almost four years. The last time he did so was in November 2021 against Caleb Plant. Since then, the Mexican has accumulated seven fights—including his only defeat in that span against Dmitry Bivol.
And while the debate has centered on whether he has lost power or simply no longer wants to take risks, one thing is clear: the knockout artist Canelo seems to have changed course.

Robert García: “Canelo is no longer looking for the knockout.”

Renowned trainer Robert Garcia has a different theory to those who believe that Canelo has lost his punch. In a recent interview, he explained that the Mexican simply no longer wants to knock out his opponents, as he understands that his career should be prolonged as much as possible.
“Canelo does just enough to win. Against Munguía, he knocked him down, but he didn't go after him. Against Charlo and Berlanga, he did the same. He no longer wants to take risks. He has been fighting since he was 15, with many sparring sessions and training camps. His body needs to be preserved,” García said.

Will he knock out Crawford?

His upcoming fight against Terence Crawford on September 13 will be a big test. The odds are slightly in his favor, but the public wonders if Canelo will take advantage of the opportunity to prove that he still has fire in his fists.
Or, on the contrary, if he will continue the trend of winning without hurting too much, prioritizing his legacy, his health, and his financial security over the spectacle.