By Jack Walsh
SAUL “Canelo” Álvarez had a dominant Saturday night efficiency that was anticipated by all boxing followers alike. Nonetheless, it’s now time for the Mexican famous person to sort out a few bouts head-on with the intention to additional cement his legacy.
The unified super-middleweight world champ has confirmed at 34 years outdated that he’s nonetheless king of the game, outputting and touchdown extra punches than Edgar Berlanga and showcasing his sneaky left hook (which floored Berlanga within the third spherical) to a sold-out T-Cell Enviornment. However, as a member of the media, I and hundreds of thousands of followers throughout the globe are searching for extra aggressive fights.
Giving younger, hungry opponents in Jaime Munguia and Berlanga a chance on the massive stage, and even forcing Jermell Charlo to eat his trash-talking phrases, has undoubtedly been an incredible money-making enterprise whereas entertaining for followers. Nonetheless, it feels time to take a threat within the title of greatness, one or two extra occasions, earlier than Father Time grabs a real maintain of Canelo.
Positive, Alvarez might name it quits proper now, as a four-division champ and multimillionaire, although the world is begging for a bout with David Benavidez — ideally at 168 lbs. The combat has been ongoing in discussions for 3 lengthy years among the many media, followers and even apparently the respective camps, who couldn’t agree on numbers. And but a victory over the WBC Interim light-heavyweight champ would show that Canelo can adapt to a fighter who throws excessive quantity and constant crucial energy pictures.
Benavidez is the followers primary decide (Getty Photos)
Higher but, Benavidez stands round six-and-a-half inches taller than Canelo, one other indicator that he’s in all probability the one attainable risk concerning potential harm to Canelo in a toe-to-toe match-up. Many followers consider that Canelo is ducking, though he rejects this concept. Nonetheless, fixed chatter makes this the combat that may finish the hypothesis as soon as and for all and supply all events with a large PPV payday.
For Canelo, it appears easy. Silence the hate, guarantee punch dominance with efficient catch and shoots — ideally to the physique with left hooks — and management of tempo on the within in opposition to a lanky energy puncher, and show to the world who the king is. In spite of everything, in Canelo’s post-fight interview, he claimed to be the very best boxer on the earth — present us this to be true!
Subsequent, a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, assuming he beats Artur Beterbiev, which Canelo defined he can be taken with. Alvarez took this bout initially as a problem. Nonetheless, redemption and taking the Russian’s “0” speaks volumes to the dedication of the longer term Corridor of Famer this deep into his profession, if Canelo jumps again as much as 175 lbs, and if the contract does, the truth is, get signed by each events.
Saul’ Canelo’ Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol alongside WBA president Gilberto Mendoza (Photograph by Ethan Miller/Getty Photos)
To avenge his solely loss apart from Mayweather, Canelo should be out for blood this time. Revenge within the title of legacy and greatness: break down Bivol’s ring technicality, don’t let him provoke size or instill his jab and throw hefty, constant combos to power openings in Bivols prime tier protection. Alvarez can’t combat from a distance, as Bivol will simply stick him together with his jarring ones and twos.
It sounds daring, but when these two bouts are gained, Canelo can have nothing left to show in his journey. He might be deemed arguably the best and most entertaining fighter of our technology subsequent to Floyd, and a debatable determine within the prime 10 or 15 of all time.
