By Miguel Rivera

Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (47-1-1, 33KOs) is brushing off the comments which were directed to him from IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs), and his trainer Abel Sanchez.

In recent interviews Golovkin labeled Canelo as a "clown" and said didn't care about the sport with his recent career decision. Sanchez questioned whether or not Canelo was a true Mexican and said the popular fighter was lacking the "big balls" that he claims to have.

Canelo will return to the ring on September 17th, when he challenges Liam Smith for the WBO junior middleweight world title at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Golovkin is going to defend his belts one week earlier, on September 10th, against IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook at the O2 Arena in London.

Canelo, who held the WBC middleweight title at the start of the year, was ordered by the World Boxing Council to face Golovkin. The two sides agreed to take one interim-fight and then collide in the fall. They scored big knockouts in their interim fights and the showdown appeared to be on the verge of happening.

But then Canelo vacated the title and announced that he was moving back to 154 to face Smith. The WBC would later name Golovkin as the full champion at 160.

Years ago, Canelo traveled to Big Bear and trained side by side with Golovkin and they sparred. He says the dangerous puncher was a very nice guy and these comments seem very much out of his character. He believes Golovkin's handlers are instructing him to talk trash in the media.

"We had the opportunity to meet (with Golovkin) when I went to Big Bear to train, but yes [Golovkin and Sanchez] are talking a lot and have so much to say. Because I don't really know, I think it's the people surrounding [Golovkin] more than anything else - but that's his problem," Canelo said.