It was reported yesterday that Canelo Álvarez is close to signing a three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions. This comes on the heels of a cryptic post in which Canelo posted the words ‘September 2023’, along with Premier Boxing Champions.
ESPN’s Mike Coppinger went on the record, to say that Canelo had signed a three-fight deal with the entity. This comes on the heels of Sampson Lewkowicz telling ProBox TV News earlier this year that after the John Ryder fight, Canelo Álvarez was a promotional free agent and not tied to Matchroom Boxing.
With what seems to be eminent news emerging, let’s look at some of the different scenarios Canelo Álvarez could take.
The Most Likely
When this deal is officially announced, most people will probably assume this is the path that Canelo Álvarez would take in an ideal and perfect world.
Jermall Charlo
It seems all, but a given that Canelo Álvarez’s next fight this coming September will mark the end of a two-year layoff for the current WBC middleweight world champion, who seemingly would move up to super middleweight and challenge Canelo for all four the super middleweight world titles in an undisputed bout.
The fight is exciting as both Charlo brothers have larger-than-life personas, and are capable of growing the sport. It is a great first fight for Canelo when coming into the fold with the PBC as it is a highly sellable fight to the current boxing marketplace, but also a fight in which, Canelo could see where he stands in the division, facing a talented fighter who is moving up in a fight.
It seems as though this is no longer, an ‘if’, and a matter of when we get an official announcement around Charlo facing Canelo.
David Benavidez
Seemingly every hardcore fight fan has been calling for David Benavidez to fight Canelo Álvarez, with Benavidez, and his team as well advocating for this. ProBox TV News has done multiple interviews with Benavidez’s promoter, Sampson, as he has been pursuing this fight. If and when Canelo signs with the PBC, it seems like the Benavidez fight has to be made. It pits one of the greatest Mexican boxers ever, Canelo Alvarez, against a young Mexican-American fighter, eager for glory.
Benavidez is a high-volume pressure fighter. Canelo is a crafty counterpuncher. Styles make fights and this from a stylistic standpoint presents itself as a classic in the making as the two styles of each fighter complement each other.
Would we see a passing of the torch, or a legend hold his spot in the sport? It would be a major moment in boxing, and one frankly, we need to see.
Errol Spence Jr.
Spence has made it clear in a recent interview with the Dallas Cowboys football organization that released a media scrum, that Spence Jr., who will fight Terence Crawford on July 29th, of this year, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the T-Mobile Arena, would be more comfortable fighting at middleweight. Spence has a career-defining fight, and whatever the result of that fight will dictate his legacy, longevity in the sport, and so much more.
If things play out well - Spence is going to pursue the biggest fights not just in his division, but in the sport of boxing. If Spence can beat Crawford, a big IF. Spence’s next goal should be to conquer the pound-for-pound rankings. A way to do that - face Canelo Álvarez, who held the title of the number-one fighter in the sport for many years.
Possible Outliers
This category is set aside for fighters who could shake up the boxing world with a huge win that would put them in a position to land a Canelo fight in 2024.
David Morrell
David Morrell is fairly obviously one of the best super middleweights in the world despite having only nine professional fights. Morrell is calling out names. Morrell is using every disrespectful word in the book to try and land a David Benavidez fight, including now taking Benavidez’s nickname of ‘The Monster’, and using that as his ring moniker. Morrell is capable of beating any world-class fighter on any given day.
If Morrell beats one of these top contenders, especially one listed in the tier above him, that would present a great opportunity for him to land a Canelo Alvarez fight.
Demetrius Andrade
Andrade’s career is confusing one of the best fighters of his era, his resume doesn’t reflect his skillset. Largely avoided, a two-division world champion, who has called out Canelo Alvarez for a decade, now seems to be aligned with the PBC, which should allow Andrade to get a fight against an opponent of note. When that happens, Andrade needs to shine - and create interest in a fight with Canelo.
Boxing isn’t fair, and talent alone doesn’t always get you big fights. Andrade is case-and-point of this. Andrade is so good, he is held to a different standard than other fighters simply, because he has a style that can reduce the earning power of the fighters he faces, meaning astute managers will only face him unless they have to or if they are overpaid.
Worth Mentioning
Notable names, who could possibly be mentioned, but more than likely will not land a Canelo Álvarez fight unless they do something heroic, or stand out in the boxing landscape more than currently.
Anthony Yarde
Anthony Yarde has developed a solid fanbase in the United Kingdom and is a fun light heavyweight. If Canelo were to think outside of the box, and potentially want to go to the United Kingdom or try his hand at light heavyweight once again, Yarde might fit the bill.
Yarde hits hard but also gets hit himself. So the fight would be interesting as Yarde has yet to put together a complete performance as a professional but is much bigger than Canelo.
Badou Jack
The three-division world champion, who holds the WBC cruiserweight world title, is always lurking there for Canelo Alvarez. If Canelo wanted to try and become a five-division world champion, Jack is his best bet at accomplishing this. That said, is it likely ‘probably not’?
