Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is the face of boxing.
Whenever he fights, the world — and now we wait to see who he might choose to fight next for his next fight date.
The current undisputed super middleweight world champion will return in May 2024.
In his last fight, Canelo defeated junior middleweight undisputed world champion, Jermell Charlo — a surprising opponent but one that had intrigue and interest.
Canelo, at 33-years-old, is at a career crossroads. He has two fights left on his current contract with Premier Boxing Champions. The direction he chooses is unknown. He chose legacy for most of his career. Will he give the younger generation a chance to face him before retiring? That is the million-dollar question.
Here are four possible opponents.
01. Jaime Munguia
Why it should happen: Jaime Munguia is the number-one contender for Canelo’s WBO super middleweight title. Munguia is facing John Ryder in January. Ryder fought Canelo in May last year. If Munguia looks impressive his rankings and doing better against Ryder could earn him a fight.
Also, Munguia is already being rumored as a possible opponent for Canelo in May.
Why it shouldn’t happen: Munguia is a former world champion at junior middleweight. Yet, he beat Sadam Ali, a welterweight to win the title. Munguia had a few sketchy performances. Moved up to middleweight. Now he is at super middleweight. All of which without contest for a world title. Munguia has recently stepped up his competition but is still largely unproven at the world-class level.
Munguia is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Canelo and Golden Boy Promotions have not had a great relationship. Canelo left Golden Boy Promotions over a contract dispute. That could stop the bout from happening.
02. David Benavídez
Why it should happen: David Benavídez stopped Demetrius Andrade. The fans are excited about him. He has an exciting style, and it would be a mega-fight. In a perfect world, this would be the next fight for Canelo.
He is currently rumored to face Canelo in September as of now. Which means Benavidez might miss out on the May fight.
Why it shouldn’t happen: Is Canelo going to give a young fighter a shot at a legacy fight? If Benavidez beats Canelo he becomes an all-time great overnight. Would Canelo risk his passing the torch to Benavidez?
03. Terence Crawford
Why it should happen: Terence Crawford is a two-division undisputed champion. He’d be looking to be a three-division undisputed world champion. A historic feat in the modern era.
Though smaller than Canelo, Crawford is a generational talent - so good, he might just beat Canelo. Or at least that is the selling point.
Why it shouldn’t happen: Crawford is smaller than Jermell Charlo. We saw how the Charlo fight played out.
An old boxing adage says ‘a good big man beats a good little man.’
04. Jermall Charlo
Why it should happen: Jermall Charlo is notable and famous. Charlo holds the WBC middleweight world title.
Why it shouldn’t happen: Charlo hasn’t fought a meaningful fight in a long time. He hasn’t defended his title in over two-and-a-half years. His bounce-back fight against Jose Benavidez Jr. was uninspiring. Also, Charlo has never fought at super middleweight.
