The ongoing verbal barbs being traded by Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor is giving boxing a bad name, according to two-time world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez who believes the fight would be “a joke”.

The prospect of undefeated boxer Mayweather and UFC two-time simultaneous champion McGregor fighting in a boxing match now looks to be a near certainty, with both camps locked in a verbal back-and-forth regarding negotiations and who would emerge triumphant.

The 39-year-old Mayweather, who retired in 2015 with an unblemished 49-0 professional boxing record, has spoken publicly to reveal that the fight could go ahead this year, but also posted messages on social media to dismiss reports that a deal had already been agreed for the fight to take place.

The 28-year-old McGregor meanwhile has taken a much more provocative approach to try and tempt Mayweather into agreeing to a fight, having taunted the American for not meeting him in Las Vegas during his visit across the Atlantic last week.

Current WBO light-middleweight and lineal middleweight world champion Alvarez, whose one and only defeat in his 51-fight professional career came against Mayweather in September 2013, has criticised the ongoing spat between Mayweather and McGregor, and believes they are dragging the name of boxing through the mud in the process.

"It's a joke for boxing if that happens," Canelo told Reuters ahead of his bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in May. Chavez added: "It is a businessman fight. I like to fight a serious fight."

Alvarez lost to Mayweather in the American's penultimate fight (Getty)

However, despite the criticism of the proposed ‘superfight’ from inside the sport, renowned trainer Freddie Roach revealed that Mayweather has recently attended his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles where he told him that the fight with McGregor is on course to happen.

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Roach also revealed that he would be open to training McGregor to face the unbeaten American, as he did with Manny Pacquiao when the legendary Filipino faced Mayweather in the ‘Fight of the Century’ back in May 2015.

Mayweather beat Pacquiao two years ago ti win his 48th consecutive fight (Getty) (Getty Images)

"According to Mayweather, yes. He told me he would fight him,” Roach said on The MMA Hour show on Monday night. “Everything is pointing in that direction right now.

"I think Mayweather is the favorite, yes, but I wouldn’t count anyone out. Because (McGregor) throws, he throws hard and he’s not afraid to throw."

McGregor has already taken up a boxing licence in California (Getty) (Getty Images)