Canelo Alvarez Open To More Fights At Light Heavyweight
At the end of 2020, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) stated that his goal for 2021 was to become an undisputed world champion at 168 pounds. The Reigning WBA ‘super’/WBC/WBO world super middleweight champion is one step away from that accomplishment as he faces IBF world champ Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) on November 6 for the undisputed world title at 168-pounds.
Should he win, Alvarez would become the first fighter from Mexico to become an undisputed world champion. However, Alvarez views himself as a seminal fighter who is always reaching for greater heights.
AN EYE TOWARDS 175
During an interview on The Last Stand Podcast, the 31-year-old told host Brian Custer that becoming an undisputed world champion would be one of the greatest moments of his career. Yet, there is more meat on the boxing bone to devour. Could that include a permanent stay at light heavyweight?
In November 2019, he made a pit stop in that division, knocking out Sergey Kovalev in eleven rounds to win the WBO world belt. Following that win, Alvarez relinquished that title. Pundits agree top fighters currently at 175 are WBC/IBF unified world champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA ‘super’ world belt-holder Dmitry Bivol. When asked whether he’d considering moving up to face either man, Alvarez’s said, “yes, why not?”
First and foremost, he must overcome Caleb Plant in November. However, Canelo is boxing’s biggest star and the center of the sport’s landscape from 160-175. Whether you’re a world champion or a highly ranked contender, the redhead from Guadalajara is your number one target. Fighters in that weight area will have their eye on his next move.
He would have nothing left to prove at 168. Possible matchups against WBC world middleweight champ Jermall Charlo and WBO world 160-pound champ Demetrius Andrade seem unlikely. So, the likely scenario would be a move to the light heavyweight division.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol would surely test Canelo. The WBC/IBF unified light heavyweight champ has TNT in both hands. Strong as a bull, Bivol is one of the slickest and most skilled boxers in the sport and badly wants that fight. Fights with either of them seem very likely at some point in 2022 and would be intriguing, especially for hardcore fans.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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