Canelo Alvarez’s Rumored 2024 Opponents Revealed
By Eddie Sanchez
Canelo Alvarez (60 – 2 – 2, 39 KO), with only two fights left on his PBC deal, is gearing up for a thrilling year in 2024. The boxing world has been buzzing with speculations about his next opponent, and for a while, it seemed like Jermall Charlo (32 – 0, 22 KO) and David Benavidez (27 – 0, 23 KO) were the top contenders in the ring of possibilities.
But, if you lend an ear to the latest rumors, it seems there’s a new game plan in the making. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that Canelo’s May bout will be a strategic move, setting the stage for a colossal showdown in September.
The name making waves as Canelo’s potential opponent for May is Jaime Munguia (42 – 0, 33 KO), who could very well be the next challenger to the undisputed super middleweight champion. This Mexican sensation would then pass the torch to Benavidez for a September showdown.
It’s an intriguing twist of fate that Canelo, who once expressed disinterest in facing fellow Mexicans, might now be squaring off against two in consecutive matches. Munguia, hailing from Tijuana, is not just popular among the Mexican fight fans but also a fearless warrior in the ring. While he might not pose a substantial threat to Canelo, as long as he enters the fight in top shape, it’s a match that promises excitement and intrigue.
Interestingly, a bout with Munguia, who is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo’s former promoter, serves a dual purpose. It not only offers a challenging tune-up for Benavidez in September but also adds an enticing layer of rivalry to the story. Many boxing enthusiasts consider Benavidez as the most significant threat to Canelo’s supremacy in the 168-pound division.
As the stars align for these matchups, John Ryder (32 – 6, 18 KO) is set to face Munguia in January, a bout that could determine Munguia’s eligibility as the next opponent for Canelo. It’s a litmus test for Munguia’s mettle against the boxing’s top dog.
As for where these fights will be broadcast, that remains a mystery. With Showtime confirmed to step out of the boxing scene in 2024, rumors are surprisingly swirling that they might just hold the broadcast rights for the last two fights of Canelo’s existing contract, as agreed upon earlier. ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez hints at this possibility, with the fights between Munguia and Benavidez potentially being Showtime PPV events.
“The remaining fights of the agreement would take place in May and September of next year, contemplating a possible battle against David Benavidez, as long as he wins against Demetrius Andrade this November 25,” said Rodriguez. “Those two fights [Munguia and Benavidez] would be distributed by Showtime PPV.”
However, not everyone seems to be on the same page. Dan Rafael, a former ESPN insider, disputes these claims, casting further uncertainty over the network that will ultimately air these bouts.
Eddie Hearn on the other hand has his own idea in mind involving Munguia.
“We couldn’t make it for December,” Hearn declared. “Now Munguia goes in January, it looks like Berlanga in February (in his own fight) and then we want them to agree to fight in May or June… Berlanga and Munguia meet, and the winner of that is a massive fight with Canelo.”
With several moving parts and intricacies in play, the originally rumored plan seems to make more sense for Canelo. This would offer clarity into Canelo’s May opponent, build up a potential fight against Benavidez, and still hold Berlanga as an option in 2025 given his youth at 26 years old.
The blueprint for Canelo’s 2024 is brimming with excitement. To turn this vision into reality, Benavidez must handle business against Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KO) on November 25th, while Munguia needs to prove himself against Ryder in the upcoming January bout.
