In a now 69-fight career, Canelo Alvarez has shared the ring with many formidable punchers, but when quizzed on which opponents hit him the hardest, two former dance partners stood out.

Alvarez debuted in professional boxing at the age of 15 years old and has remained in the sport ever since, recapturing the WBC super-middleweight title last weekend as a 36-year-old with a triumph over Christian Mbilli.

Whilst dominant in that 168lb division, Canelo has claimed world honours in four weight divisions during his career, getting his hands on titles at super-welterweight, middleweight, super-middleweight and light-heavyweight.

Although, when asked to name who hit him the hardest, the Mexican superstar steered clear of his light-heavyweight opponents and instead told Bleacher Report that super-welterweight and middleweight rivals, James Kirkland and Gennady Golovkin, were the most powerful punching duo he faced.

“I think Golovkin and James Kirkland [hit me the hardest]. They hit hard but [it was] nothing that I can’t handle.”

Canelo shared an iconic trilogy with Golovkin across middleweight and super-middleweight and represents all three blemishes on the Kazakh’s otherwise perfect 42-2-1 record, boasting two wins and one draw in his legendary battles with the 160lb legend.

Meanwhile, the pound-for-pound star disposed of Kirkland inside three rounds in their 2015 super-welterweight scrap, scoring one of the most notable knockouts of his career against the ‘Mandingo Warrior’, who would not return to the ring for another four years after that brutal defeat.

Golovkin had 37 knockouts in his 42 victories, while 30 of Kirkland’s 34 wins came by stoppage, so it is obvious to see why Canelo chose those two particular fighters.