Canelo plans to unify at super middleweight
WBA super world middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KO’s) had let it be known that he wanted to fight by the end of the year. To fulfil that goal, Alvarez will take on WBA super world super middleweight champion Callum “Mundo” Smith (27-0, 19 KO’s) on December 19. Yet, according to Canelo, this will be the first bout in a truncated strategic mission within the division. After Smith, Alvarez has indicated that he wants to unify all the belts at 168.
“Yes that is our plan, short term [at] 168, [to] unify all the titles. So, its short term yes, and next year that’s what we will be working on.”
NO LOVE FOR THE MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLES?!
Canelo holds a legitimate world title at middleweight. Although, he traveled as high as light heavyweight to face Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KO’s). So a brief hiatus at 168 seems like a sound enough idea. However, there are those who wonder why Canelo appears to not have the same zeal about unifying the belts at 160. All three of his fellow champions would literally jump at the chance to fight him.
IBF world middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KO’s) has maintained a dogged pursuit of his trilogy bout with Canelo. At least he got that chance to throw hands with the Mexican superstar, which is more than WBC world middleweight champion Jermall “Hit Man” Charlo (31-0, 22 KO’s) can say. He has called out Canelo for years to no avail.
In fact, there is healthy contingent of fans who believed the only reason that Alvarez acquired the absurd WBC middleweight “Franchise Champion” designation was to avoid facing Charlo. The Hit Man is a hard-hitting, undefeated exciting fighter who is a native of Texas. Together, Alvarez and Charlo would make for a tremendous draw in the Lone Star state. Outside of avoiding a tough bout, it is hard to dream up another reason why the Mexican phenomenon does not want to dance with him.
THE BOO BOO STAIN
Yet, none have pursued Canelo longer and across more divisions than WBO world middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (29-0, 18 KO’s). He sought the fight as the WBO super welterweight champion when Canelo was his #1 ranked contender. And as the #1 contender, Boo Boo tried to face Alvarez when he was the WBO champion. Regardless of the circumstances, the redhead never even slightly pretended he wanted the fight. His long-time excuse has been that Andrade is a boring fighter. This is odd for a number of reasons.
It’s particularly curious when he has shown persistent interest in staging a bout with WBO world super middleweight champion “Superb” Billy Joe Saunders (30-0, 14 KO’s). Sure Saunders is an undeniable talent with impeccable defense. However, his professional resume is slimmer than a thin mint Girl Scout cookie. Not to mention that Superb is far from an electrifying fighter himself. Furthermore, he has an extended and very well-earned reputation for sabotaging fights.
CHASING GOLD AT 168
“Well, that’s the idea. He [Saunders] has the title, the WBO title, and we are going after those titles. So, it doesn’t matter who has the titles, that’s the idea, to go after those titles.”
What Canelo does in his future fight’s is yet to be seen, but for the moment his attention is turned fully to Callum Smith.
“Well because he is ranked number one at 168lbs and that’s my campaign to fight at 168lbs. We did have conversations with others, unfortunately they didn’t happen. But fortunately as well, we got this fight with him [Smith] and that’s what we are going to do…it’s going to be a difficult fight, especially the first rounds. He is a warrior. He stands his ground, so yes the first rounds will be very difficult but we see how it goes, but we will see how it goes when the first round happens.”
By: Bakari Simpson
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