Brooks Koepka could be the best fighter out of all the pro golfers, according to No.1 boxer Saul Alvarez
- When he's not earning millions of dollars through boxing, Saul Canelo Alvarez is a renowned golfer.
- He fights Dmitri Bivol this Saturday on DAZN and told the broadcaster that he loves Tiger Woods.
LAS VEGAS — If pro golfers were to ever cross over into boxing, in a similar path to how Jake Paul went from YouTube to combat sports or Conor McGregor from MMA to the sweet science, there's one man who could excel.
That man, according to the pound-for-pound boxing king Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, is Brooks Koepka — America's world No.17-ranked golfer who has earned $1.25 million in earnings so far this season.
"I think maybe Brooks," said Hennessy ambassador Alvarez when Insider recently asked him who, out of all the golfers, could perform well should they ever pick up the gloves and test themselves in the ring.
Alvarez is no slouch himself on the golf course. He told us he plays to a handicap of around 10, and when he's not training or competing, he likes to play with friends and take part in tournaments.
He's been seen messing around with modern NBA great and fellow recreational golfer Steph Curry on one course and came close to a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th at the famed Pebble Beach earlier this year, Golf Digest reported.
Koepka had a headline-generating feud with Bryson DeChambeau, and once argued with Ryder Cup officials that, according to USA Today, was "so ridiculous it made Sergio Garcia spit out his drink."
Most notably, though, he's a four-time major winner having surged to prominence from 2017 to 2019.
On Koepka's qualities that could transfer to boxing, 'Canelo' told Insider: "I like him. Mentally, he's everything. And he's strong."
Alvarez loves Tiger Woods
Koepka, though, is not Alvarez's favorite golfer. That's Tiger Woods.
"I've obviously always been a fan of his," the four-weight world champion boxer told DAZN this week. "When I started playing golf, I would watch videos of him, and I think he's the best of all time."
Alvarez returns to the ring Saturday to challenge undefeated light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol for his WBA world championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout airs on DAZN PPV.
This interview was arranged by Alvarez's drinks partner Hennessy.