With an array of options in front of him, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has got to make the smartest decision as he attempts to exceed expectations once again.
Without a doubt, Canelo Alvarez has had one of the most remarkable run in the history of boxing in 2021. His sensational win over Caleb Plant saw him becoming the first boxer to unify all four world titles in the super middleweight division while also the sixth undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
But apparently, Canelo is up for the challenge of leaving a lasting mark in the sport. This has got everybody waiting for his next move and each of his options at the moment has a set of pros and cons.
The Super middleweight saga continues
Many are convinced that Canelo has already wiped out the super middleweight division. However, some believe that there are still a few names in the said weight class that Canelo has to add in his resume. Among them are Jermall Charlo, David Benavidez and his ultimate rival Gennadiy Golovkin.
According to Canelo's longtime trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso, as far as enticing fights in the super middleweight goes, only Golovkin and Charlo have ticked the boxes.
“As champions we have to look for the best opponents, fighters with titles, who generate expectations. We want to fight Charlo, and there is also Golovkin,” Reynoso said via Boxing Scene.
“If you look at [Benavidez's] his record, he has not beaten anyone, the most he has done is a win over Anthony Dirrell, who for me is a champion who did not have a great run, somewhat mediocre at 168 pounds,” he added.
Looking at Charlo and Golovkin, no one can really tell if the former can beat Canelo but as for “GGG,” things could be unpredictable given the world has witnessed how evenly matched the pair was everytime they go after each other inside the ring. Either way, both fights are not definitive wins.
The light heavyweight division is stacked
Should Canelo decides to really move on from super middleweight, he could find new competition in light heavyweight. As it stands, the division is stacked with a host of world champions who are all in their primes–Dmitry Bivol (WBA), Artur Beterbiev (WBC, IBF) and Joe Smith Jr. (WBO).
Though Canelo managed to beat a legitimate light heavyweight in Sergey Kovalev in 2019, many reckoned that he didn't beat a light heavyweight champion in his prime.
The danger behind Usyk
As the potential super middleweight and light heavyweight matchups unravel, Canelo has already set his sights on another big score–a cruiserweight supremacy.
Canelo seems eager to make a push for it that he is now eyeing a super fight against WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Junior Makabu. In the process, he caught the attention of former cruiserweight king and now heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Stating the obvious, a fight against Usyk will be the biggest challenge of Canelo's illustrious career. Aside from the size advantage, Canelo has never faced a heavy-hitting tactician like Usyk, who has already proven himself against bigger opponents.
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