Floyd called out
SAUL ‘Canelo’ Alvarez would welcome Floyd Mayweather coming out of retirement for a rematch of their 2013 clash.
The Mexican lost a points decision to the American legend when he was just 23.
Alvarez, now 27, faces WBA, IBF and WBC middleweight king Gennady Golovkin this weekend in Las Vegas. But if he wins and there is no interest in a rematch, he would be keen to face Mayweather again to avenge the only defeat he has suffered in 50 fights. Mayweather retired for a third time following a 10th-round stoppage of UFC fighter Conor McGregor last month. Alvarez said: “That is a thorn I have and I would like to take that thorn out. But it’s not an obsession.”
Alvarez insists he does not consider that fight a loss because he feels he was too young when it took place. He said: “I learnt a lot from that fight. I don’t take it as a defeat, I take it as an experience.” REPORTS JOSH CHARNLEY will make his first Premiership appearance of the season for Sale against London Irish tonight admitting he has yet to find his bearings in rugby union.
After two run-outs for the reserves, the former Wigan try machine sees first-team action for the first time this season at the AJ Bell Stadium desperate to be a cross-code success.
The tries he scored in his sleep at Wigan dried up after his switch last season and he was overshadowed by another league convert, Denny Solomona, scoring just twice in 15 appearances.
But he is hoping new additions such as electric scrum-half Faf de Klerk – and James O’Connor when he is fit after a summer ankle operation – will end up making his second season in union a lot more prolific than his first.
“I want to get as many games as I can under my belt and try to be a decent winger in the Premiership,” he said. “I’m still new to the code and learning off players like Faf and James is good. Faf has that pace off the blocks and players like him will be good for the likes of me.
“Last season was tough – my body was feeling it after coming straight off a Super League season – but I’ve had a good break this time and it does feel more familiar now. I’m role a bit better.
“I get lost sometimes because it’s still not second nature to me – there are too many rules – but I’m getting there slowly. I’ve got a full season to go at it this time, so I’m bound to find it a bit easier.”
Solomona has shown the way since his move from Castleford, although he had the important advantage of having played union growing up in New Zealand. Charnley was new to union when he took the plunge.
Last month, he was in the crowd at Wembley supporting his former Wigan team-mates at the Challenge Cup final, sparking inevitable rumours of a return to the Warriors. But the 26-yearold insists a switch back to his first love is not on the cards any time soon. “I go fishing with a learning my