By Jack Walsh
SAUL “Canelo” Álvarez had a dominant Saturday night efficiency that was anticipated by all boxing followers alike. Nevertheless, it’s now time for the Mexican famous person to sort out a few bouts head-on with a view 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The unified super-middleweight world champ has confirmed at 34 years outdated that he’s nonetheless king of the game, outputting and touchdown extra punches than Edgar Berlanga and showcasing his sneaky left hook (which floored Berlanga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-Cellular Enviornment. However, as a member of the media, I and thousands and thousands of followers throughout the globe are on the lookout for extra aggressive fights.
Giving younger, hungry opponents in Jaime Munguia and Berlanga a possibility on the massive stage, and even forcing Jermell Charlo to eat his trash-talking phrases, has undoubtedly been an important money-making enterprise whereas entertaining for followers. Nevertheless, 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 may 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 battle 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 vital 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 most likely the one doable menace concerning potential injury to Canelo in a toe-to-toe match-up. Many followers imagine that Canelo is ducking, though he rejects this concept. However, fixed chatter makes this the battle that may finish the hypothesis as soon as and for all and supply all events with an enormous 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 towards a lanky energy puncher, and show to the world who the king is. In any case, 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 could 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 long run Corridor of Famer this deep into his profession, if Canelo jumps again as much as 175 lbs, and if the contract does, actually, get signed by each events.
Saul’ Canelo’ Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol alongside WBA president Gilberto Mendoza (Picture by Ethan Miller/Getty Photos)
To avenge his solely loss apart from Mayweather, Canelo have to 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 high tier protection. Alvarez can’t battle 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 could have nothing left to show in his journey. He may be deemed arguably the best and most entertaining fighter of our era subsequent to Floyd, and a debatable determine within the high 10 or 15 of all time.
