Alvarez not sure of next opponent
Undisputed champ has several options
Canelo Alvarez was so confident, so sure Saturday night that he’d win the undisputed super middleweight championship, he fought Caleb Plant with “Undisputed” inscribed on his gloves.
And wore a jacket to the post-fight news conference with “Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion 2021” embroidered on the back.
Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 knockouts) is indeed the undisputed 168-pound king, having conquered Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Plant (21-1, 12 KOS) to capture the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF crowns. Naturally, his most impressive feat to date begets a question.
Who’s next?
Alvarez doesn’t yet know and said Saturday that he most likely won’t return to the ring until May. He said he’ll convene with his team sometime in January and begin identifying prospective opponents and challenges.
“Right now, we’re focused on enjoying this fight. Trying to enjoy the moment,” Alvarez said through an interpreter. “This is really meaningful. Then, when the time comes, we’re going to think about the future.”
Options are aplenty for Alvarez, should he stay at 168 and defend his undisputed championship. Former twotime WBC champion David Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOS) is advised by Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions, for which Alvarez fought Saturday. The 24-year-old is among the best young fighters in boxing and theoretically could challenge Alvarez with his size, length and aggressive style.
WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOS) also fights for PBC and could move from 160 pounds up to 168 to fight Alvarez. He’s made five title defenses and has little more to prove at 160.
IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOS) is another option, should he successfully defend his title Dec. 29 against Ryota Murota and elect to move up in weight. He’s promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, with which Alvarez worked to fight Smith and Saunders.
But Golovkin is past his prime at 39, and it’s unclear if he could challenge Alvarez the way he has in the past. He fought Alvarez to a controversial draw in 2017 and lost a majority decision in 2018.
Alvarez also could make a move to light heavyweight and fight one of the division’s three champions: Dmitry Bivol (18-0, 11 KOS), Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOS) or Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 KOS).
Matchroom promotes Bivol. Top Rank promotes Beterbiev and Smith. Alvarez, as a promotional free agent, has the flexibility and cachet to fight whoever he wants on whatever network.
“I have nothing in particular in mind right now, but I love challenges. And whatever comes my way, I’ll be ready for it,” the 31-yearold Mexican superstar said. “I’m ready for any challenge at any time. We’ll see what comes next year. … Right now, I’m just enjoying the moment.”