Saul Alvarez insists he is now a better fighter as he prepares to take on Alfredo Angulo in Las Vegas on March 8.

The former WBC light-middleweight world champion (42-1-1 30KOs) - still just 23 years of age - suffered the first defeat of his career last time out, dropping a majority decision to Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in September.

But the manner of that loss, even though one judge somehow called it 114-114, would have been worrying for Alvarez.

He was expected to give Mayweather a stern test but in the end was taken to school by the world's number one pound-for-pound fighter.

However, he will start as a firm favorite against 31-year-old Angulo (22-3 18KOs) as he bids to get his career back on track.

"Alfredo Angulo is a very strong fighter, and he knows how to come forward, said Alvarez. "He knows how to throw a punch and take a punch and he comes to fight."

"I'm sure you want to see a fight and you don't want to see a guy who is going to be running all night.

"I've prepared myself very well to give you all a great fight.

"I can't tell you all the things I learned from my last fight [against Floyd Mayweather, but there is a long list. I don't take it as a loss. I take it as a learning experience. And that is what's going to keep me going.

"That's the greatest thing about this sport. You learn and you move on.

"We have two different styles and you really can't compare the two. Angulo's aggressive. I've fought bigger guys but I see him as a middleweight coming down to super welterweight.

"We offered this fight to [Miguel] Cotto first, but he wasn't ready. We wanted to give you guys, the media, and the fans this fight. This is for the fans.

"Losing is part of boxing. Muhammad Ali lost and he's still the greatest of all time. So a loss isn't going to prevent me from being the future of boxing."

Former WBO interim light-middleweight world champion Angulo is confident his tenacity and determination can win the day.

"I'm the same Alfredo Angulo as I've always been and I'm going to always give the fans great fights. I think that I earn respect in my fights and March 8 is going to be no different," he said.

"I don't know if he's the most powerful fighter I've faced, but I know I have to give my all in this fight for my fans. This fight is for the fans.

"What's this fight going to mean if I win? I don't know. Once I win, then you can ask that.

"He [Canelo] knows the heart that I have. He's knows it very well; that the advantage I have over him.

"I know I have some doubters. But if you doubt me, go ahead and look up my fights on YouTube."