Via Jim Calfa: Canelo Alvarez said he’s open to the idea of facing off against the winner of the lightweight unification bout Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith in December of this year after he first traded with Dmitry Bivol and Gennadiy Golovkin.
Canelo promoter Eddie Hearn spoke of the Mexico star taking on WBC cruiser class champion Ilunga Makabu or mandatory WBA 168-lb John Ryder in December.
Neither of those bouts attracted much interest from boxing fans, and it won’t affect Canelo’s legacy.
Ryder wasn’t popular enough with American fans, and Makabu was considered the paper champion in the cruiser weight class, and the weakest link.
If Canelo can fight this year’s winner Beterbiev-Smith, he could become the undisputed 175 lb champion right away rather than postponing it to 2023 or 2024, which could make His job becomes more difficult.
Being the undisputed two-tournament champion will secure Canelo’s legacy and pave his way into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
“Why not? We’ll see,” Canelo Alvarez said to ESNEWS when asked if he was ready to take on the winner Beterbiev vs. Smith Jr. December or not.
Team Canelo has tested well Bivol says Margarito
“Well, we know Canelo is in the middle of his prime and should win this bout,” Antonio Margarito told Fight Hub TV on Canelo Alvarez challenging for the 175lb WBA title Dmitry Bivol on Jan. May 7.
“Look, I think any fighter can be tough in the ring, but I think they [Canelo & trainer/manager Eddy Reynoso] studied him [Bivol]and by choosing him, it won’t be a problem.
“Look, for boxing, Golovkin is past his prime, but it will be a good match because Golovkin brings experience. If Canelo looks good in the second GGG match, he will look better in this one,” said Margarito.
Not bad that Canelo and Eddy Reynoso took a close look at Bivol before making the calculated decision to cast him.
Even if Bivol is the weakest of the 175 champions, Canelo still needs to take on winner Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith Jr. if he wants to be the undisputed champion.
Bivol remains a very dangerous opponent for Canelo due to his size, strength, and boxing skills.
Canelo should give Benavidez a chance
“The only problem is that fighters shouldn’t be planning your current fight because you don’t know what’s going to happen. But I wish Canelo the best of luck.
“Look, in my humble opinion, I believe and not only me, a lot of people want to meet him. [Canelo] Fight [Jermall] Charlo and Benavidez. Benavidez talks a lot, but I’m asking Canelo to give him a shot and give him a chance.
“Why not give him a chance? He is a good fighter. Canelo is one of the best right now, and he should give anyone a fight. Like when I won. I will look at the prospects and give them a chance.
“So why not give him [Benavidez] a chance? A lot of people want to see Benavidez and Charlo [against Canelo]. We know they are tough games and give great battles for the fans,” said Margarito.
Boxing fans don’t understand why Canelo didn’t fight Benavidez, but it seems obvious why he wasn’t chosen to fight him. This is not for Canelo’s marinade, but for self-preservation.
Canelo sees something in Benavidez’s style that he’s uncomfortable with, which is why he seems to have gone out of his way to NOT play against him.
If Canelo was smart, he would have fought Benavidez two or three years ago when he was 22 years old, not a boxer like today. It will be a lot easier than it is now.
