Author: Sean Close
Canelo Alvarez had some great news for Mexican fans recently. During an interview with aztec, the undisputed world super-middleweight champion revealed that he plans to extend his contract with the network, meaning that fans in Mexico can watch his fights without paying a pay-per-view fee. Additionally, the red-haired star hinted that he will be back in the ring on May 4th, where he will face an American opponent. This announcement dashed hopes for a fight with Jaime Munguia that fans and analysts had been speculating about.
There are several potential opponents for Canelo in the coming months, with notable names including super middleweight powerhouse David Benavidez, middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo, and welterweight champion Terrence Crawford, all of whom are American. While a bout with the undefeated and dangerous Benavidez might not make much business sense, a potential showdown with the much smaller Crawford could be unimaginable. Charlo, whose twin brother Jermell lost to Canelo last year, might be a likely choice. It’s important to note that both Canelo and Charlo have fought under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner.
If Charlo is selected as Canelo’s opponent in May, there will likely be a debate between supporters of Benavidez and critics of Crawford. However, Canelo, with a record of 60-2-2, has faced strong opponents throughout his 64-fight career, including guaranteed Hall of Famers Floyd Mayweather, Gennadiy Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, and Shawn Porter. While a significant percentage of fans may view Benavidez as the best opponent for Canelo, he doesn’t need to worry about critics.
Canelo could potentially face two of the three most likely opponents before the end of 2024, as he typically fights twice a year in events that are considered significant. It’s conceivable that he may face Charlo, where he would be considered a heavy favorite, in May, followed by a fight against Benavidez in September. Regardless of the eventual schedule, one thing is clear: Canelo continues to dominate the sport of boxing.
