Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez will have his 66th professional fight this weekend in Las Vegas.
The Mexican started out when he was just 15 years old and, in the time since, has won world titles in four weight classes. He is currently unified super-middleweight world champion having been stripped of one of the four belts this year for failing to face a mandatory challenger.
Despite undefeated Edgar Berlanga being the man in front of him on September 14, Alvarez is struggling to avoid questions about David Benavidez during fight week – the man most feel is his toughest test in the division.
In a media scrum after the press conference, he discussed the fight as well as his legacy in the sport.
“I always fought everybody. I fought legendary fights – Cotto, Golovkin – but they bring me something. They bring me legacy. I’m talking about that. I know you guys are always saying fight Benavidez, you’re gonna put other fights [after that]. Like I say, if the money is right then it’s a special fight, I’m in. Because he doesn’t bring me legacy, anything.”
Asked what fight, if any, would add to his legacy at this stage, he was unsure before taking the suggestion of Dmitry Bivol – just one of two men along with Floyd Mayweather to have defeated him.
“I don’t know. Right now there’s not much people left. I fought everybody … Bivol is one of the guys I’d have my rematch with. Like I say, if he wins 175, undisputed…”
Bivol welcomed the 34-year-old up to light-heavyweight for a shot at his WBA World Title in 2022. He outworked and outboxed the smaller man over twelve rounds, winning a unanimous decision. Talk of a rematch fell apart and Bivol now enters the fight of his life in October against the division’s other champion, Artur Beterbiev.
Canelo said he can see Bivol beating Beterbiev for the undisputed title. Controversially, one of the first in line to face the winner is WBC number one challenger Benavidez.
Although a lot must happen, there’s a possibility that Canelo not only doesn’t give 27-year-old Benavidez the fight he has been chasing, but also swoops in and takes this most current opportunity.
