Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez is shaking his head at the recently finalized exhibition fight between former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather and Youtuber Logan Paul - which takes place on February 20th on pay-per-view.

Mayweather handed Canelo his only career defeat, a one-sided twelve round decision in September of 2013.

Canelo views all of these bouts, like Mayweather-Paul, as money-grabs.

"Ya know, it’s all about the money," Canelo told TMZ through a translator ... "I don’t think we would agree that people that are basketball players, that are YouTubers [should] get [boxing] licenses. Ya know, I don’t criticize. This is a very risky sport, and if you go up there, it’s very risky."

With Logan's brother, Jake Paul, calling out top fighters for a high-profile boxing match -- Canelo made it clear that he would not be down for a quick payday.

"No," Canelo said... "I truly believe that it’s a lack of respect. It’s all based on money. It’s all for money. I’m focused right now on other projects."

"I have other stuff going on, and I would invite him for a sparring session so that he truly knows what it’s all about."

Canelo views these exhibition bouts as being disrespectful to the sport.

"For true fighters, I do believe it is a lack of respect," Canelo said.

Canelo returns to the ring on Saturday night, when he faces WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.