Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez would struggle against Andre Ward, claims Virgil Hunter

Now 37, Ward retired in 2017 with a 32-0 record, and won titles at both 168lbs and 175lbs, and was rated as the best boxer of any division before he stepped back from the ring.

The Mexican champion is now seen to have a claim to that title, but Hunter, who trained Ward, believes that Ward was his match.

"I don't like to say who would win. But a lot of the things that Canelo does, he wouldn't be able to do to Dre," Hunter said to Sky Sports, who this week praised his current charge Joshua Buatsi.

"The things he's able to do? He would not be able to do it to Dre. He would have to become a completely different fighter.

"Whoever adapted mentally, whoever adjusted over the course of a fight, whoever was in tune to the other's rhythm would have the greater chance of winning.

"Once he retired, I knew he would stay retired. We discussed early in his career that he would go out on top.

"He is a Hall of Famer. Let's leave it at that. Nobody can talk about a loss.

"He may ask himself if he made the right decision at the right time.

"But I tell him: 'Don't ever question your decisions particularly if there are no questions left unanswered'.

"All people can do is wonder. It is not the public's decision whether you retired late or early.

"It's hard to find guys who did it [his] way so he stands alone."

Hunter suggested that IBF champion Caleb Plant would pose more of a test than Billy Joe Saunders, but the real test could come at light heavyweight.

"Plant does bring some tools to the fight. Whether or not they are enough to hold Canelo off? It remains to be seen," he said.

"Plant will put up a better fight than Saunders because he is taller and more comfortable at the weight.

"Right now Canelo has so many options. It is difficult to find one standout guy who would beat him.

"I would have him competitive in any fight, even light-heavyweight against Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev.”