What the future could hold for Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39KOs) has been on a roll since defeating Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (41-1-1, 36KOs) in September of 2018 and has far succeeded anyone’s expectations. 
 
Many consider him the best fighter in the world, given his resume and impressive victories against top-level opposition. 

Last November, Canelo became the undisputed super middleweight champion after stopping Caleb Plant and has his eyes on a cruiserweight title!
 
Rumors have surfaced that Canelo’s team is now interested in facing current WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25KOs). This would mark the 5th weight division in which he will have attempted to win a world title, having won belts at 154, 160, 168, and 175. There is no question that Canelo has come a long way, given that 5 years ago, some were claiming that Golovkin, a middleweight, would be too strong for him. 
 
Sportsbooks have Canelo as a big favorite in a potential cruiserweight clash against Makabu. Many don’t see Makabu being a difficult opponent as some fighters at light heavyweight such as Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11KOs) and Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17KOs). Some would even say that David Benevidez (25-0, 22KOs), a super middleweight, has a better chance at beating Canelo than Makabu.  
 
Canelo is looking for another milestone in his hall-of-fame career. While some fighters at 31 years old are still awaiting a major opportunity, Canelo has arguably encompassed two hall-of-fame careers. No fighter in boxing history has won titles at each respective weight category from light-middleweight to cruiserweight. And just a few years ago, nobody could have foreseen Canelo potentially jumping up to cruiserweight and challenging for a title. 
 
But this challenge is by no means insurmountable. Canelo’s head trainer Eddie Reynoso is confident in his fighter winning due to Canelo’s sparring experience against heavyweights. Yet, sparring is not a complete indication of how things will turn out on fight-night. Makabu will still undoubtedly be one of the biggest and strongest fighters Canelo has faced. Given the odds, fans will not be surprised if Canelo wins easily, and they will likely view the victory as another milestone.
 
The two biggest challenges for Canelo are fights against Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Beterbiev is a killer and posts a 100% KO ratio. Some would see a win against Beterbiev to be the most impressive of Canelo’s career, given Beterbiev’s aggressiveness, strength, and punching power. Canelo is a superior boxer to Beterbiev, and he would have to elude Beterbiev’s punching power throughout the fight. Canelo’s counter-punching style could pose difficulty for Beterbiev, and he could frustrate Beterbiev with head movement and defense. If they fight, viewers would be awaiting a Beterbiev knockout or a decision victory for Canelo.

Dmitry Bivol is a disciplined fighter with good balance and technique. A Canelo vs. Bivol matchup is a high-level technical fight. Canelo likes to set up traps and counters effectively, and Bivol wouldn’t fall into Canelo’s traps easily. Bivol boasts an impressive amateur record of 268-15 and understands how to control range. Canelo would be a favorite due to his skill and experience, but Bivol would be a dark horse heading into the fight. They are both equal in size and boxing ability, which would make for an even matchup.
 
Given Canelo’s jump in weight, a trilogy with “GGG” doesn’t seem likely. Due to Canelo’s status as the “cash cow” in the sport, his future is entirely up to him.
 
He now holds the same position that Floyd Mayweather did at the end of his career, as Mayweather decided who and when he would fight no matter what. Canelo has already proven that he is an all-time great, and the rest of his career will entail milestones to cement his legacy. He’ll likely pick up more belts at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, but a move up to heavyweight is too daunting.
 
Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13KOs) mentioned that he would move down to cruiserweight to face Canelo, but this fight doesn’t seem likely. Usyk recently beat an elite heavyweight in Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22KOs), and Canelo’s team would see the matchup as being too great of a risk. Usyk is a master boxer and much bigger and stronger than Canelo. Expect cruiserweight to be as far up in weight as he will go.