Latest Rumors for Canelo’s Next Fight
By Eddie Sanchez
For months, Canelo Alvarez has been adamant that Dmitry Bivol II is what he wants for his September 2023 return. While he has echoed this sentiment pretty consistently, fans and media alike have been clamoring for a matchup against David Benavidez. Given the onslaught of rumors, one would have been fair to assume that either of these men would surely be his next opponent. At this point now, the tide has shifted!
“It’s some excuses for [Canelo]. It’s it’s funny. He just wants to find some excuses for him. Of course, nobody says that I wanted the same terms for the rematch. He just doesn’t want it. If he wants to say, ‘I want the same terms,’” Bivol explained to Secondsout.
With Bivol and Canelo disagreeing on the weight class the potential rematch should take place at, each respective team has steered their focus towards other potential opportunities.
Most felt that this was the push needed to secure a Canelo vs Benavidez superfight, especially considering that Canelo was reportedly offered a guaranteed $50 million-plus contract from Team Benavidez. However, according to Bendavidez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, not only does he not see this fight happening, David will focus his energy in securing a fight with David Morrell.
QUCIK ASIDE — Benavidez vs Morrell would be a FANTASTIC fight, and I am game for that to take place later this year.
With Canelo’s two most rumored options looking less and less likely by the day, it would be fair to wonder where we stand with finding out his next move.
According to Mike Coppinger of ESPN, the two options that have surfaced most recently are WBC Middleweight Champion, Jermall Charlo, and WBC Cruiserweight Champion, Badou Jack. Given the respective weight classes, these would be two completely different fights for Canelo to consider.
Despite the fact that a bout with Charlo coming to fruition would mean that he would be returning after 28-months out of the ring, he remains one of the more marketable names in the sport of boxing. Given Charlo’s troubles outside of the ring over the past two years, with the law and mental health respectively, I would not put a ton of stock into this option being the next one for Canelo to take.
If my assumption is true, then that leaves us with the very intriguing Badou Jack. Once rumors began circulating about this potential fight, the talking heads and twitter trolls were hard at work to dismiss Jack as a viable opponent. This despite Jack being a three weight world champion who has faced the likes of Marco Antonio Periban, Derek Edwards, James DeGale, Adonis Stevenson, Marcus Browne and Jean Pascal, including victories over Anthony Dirrell, George Groves, Lucian Bute, Nathan Cleverly, and Ilunga Makabu. To put it lightly, Badou Jack has a resume filled with champions and has been in numerous wars!
Badou Jack’s face after surviving 12 rounds against Marcus Browne
A fight against Badou Jack would offer Canelo an opportunity to become a World Champion in a fifth weight class. This would match Canelo with legends like Floyd Mayweather, Thomas Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard. The only two boxers who would have earned belts in more weight classes would be Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, with six and eight respectively.
A fight with Jack would be tough, and his size, strength and experience should not be taken lightly. However, with legacy always on Canelo’s mind, this would provide Canelo with an opportunity to shoot for history, while minimizing the need to cut weight.
According to multiple sources, this fight is nearly 90% agreed upon, with the Middle East being a potential host, and weight restrictions being the final (major) hurdle to discuss and agree upon. If the rumors are true, Canelo will once again be taking a huge risk with a much larger opponent.
As a huge fan of Canelo Alvarez, I am all for him shooting for history! I also see this marking the last we consider Canelo for fights at 168 pounds. After a weight increase such as what is needed to compete at Cruiserweight, I envision a future at 175 and above being in the cards going forward. If he’s able to secure the victory, perhaps we get that Bivol rematch, or a bout with Beterbiev (the WBC, WBO & IBF Light Heavyweight Champion).
As always though, we must pump the brakes until the next fight in signed, sealed and delivered.
