However, Alvarez's star power still remains even as he'll have experienced a year-long layoff before returning this September.

"The truth is that right now, if you look at boxing, there isn't a single fighter who can generate what I generate," Alvarez told Oso Trava during a recent interview.

Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) has generated at least 500,000 pay-per-view buys on 10 separate occasions. He cracked the million-buy mark four times and fights involving him hold three of the top five spots for live attendance gates all-time.

Even now at 35, the Mexican star continues to create intrigue and draw eyeballs worldwide. His unanimous decision defeat by Terence Crawford in front of an announced 70,482 attendance at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium delivered a reported $47.23 million gate — ranking No. 3 in history.

An estimated 41.4 million watched their September showdown on Netflix.

Now, the future Hall of Famer hopes for a return to winning ways after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in October. He's steadily ramping up before training camp begins before his comeback fight September 12 in Saudi Arabia, with newly elevated WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli up next.

Alvarez knows he's much closer to the end of his career, especially given the attritional nature of his championship defenses in recent years, though this extended break has allowed him to assess the divisional landscape and acknowledge his standing in the sport. Now injury-free again, he doesn't see himself walking away just yet.

"I still feel very good," Alvarez said. "So we should make the most of it."