Canelo Alvarez is almost 70 fights into an outstanding professional career.
The 34-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico made his professional debut just shy of two decades ago, when he was only 15-years-old.
Since then, the Mexican icon has won world titles in four weight classes and become the first undisputed super-middleweight champion of the ‘four belt era.’
Canelo has been a dominant force at 168lbs since he made his debut at the weight back in 2018. He boasts victories over the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Callum Smith, Jermell Charlo and Jaime Munguia amongst others.
He became a two-time undisputed super-middleweight champion when he defeated IBF title holder William Scull on Saturday. Though he has reigned supreme in the division, fans were not pleased when he did not defend his belts against David Benavidez.
Benavidez has chased a bout against Alvarez for several years, but grew tired of waiting and instead made the move up to light-heavyweight. With two good wins under his belt in that division, he was recently elevated to WBC World Champion when Dmitry Bivol chose not to face him as mandatory challenger.
Canelo has faced Bivol in the past and also fought at 175 against Sergey Kovalev, so Benavidez is hopeful the fight can happen in his new division. However, Canelo recently revealed to The Ring Magazine that he would only make a return to light-heavyweight to face Bivol in a rematch.
“I hope I have the opportunity to have the rematch with Bivol. That’s the only fight in 175 I’d really take.”
It appears that a showdown between Canelo and ‘The Mexican Monster’ is likely to never happen at this stage, then, with Benavidez ruling out a return to 168lbs in an interview with 210 Boxing TV and even already considering a move up to cruiserweight, where Canelo certainly won’t be found.
“No, I’m done with 168. I’m done with 168.”
The 28-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona is now being linked with a fight against WBO ‘Interim’ light-heavyweight champion Callum Smith, who defeated Joshua Buatsi on February 22 in Riyadh.
As for Canelo, a mega-fight against fellow pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford is next, after the fight was officially confirmed following his victory over Scull.
