By: Hans Themistode
Canelo Alvarez prides himself on challenges. Even so, as soon as he was informed of a possible future opponent, the Mexican-born player was a bit alarmed.
After the 11th round win over Caleb Plant on November 6, Alvarez sat back and thoroughly enjoyed making history. With the win, the pound-for-pound star became the first undisputed super-middleweight champion of all time. While Alvarez continues to enjoy his moment in the sun, Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s head coach and manager, is quietly planning his next move.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the former Coach of the Year, begged Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC sanctioning body, to allow Alvarez to gain weight to take on WBC famed tennis player Ilunga Makabu. Although both Sulaiman and Alvarez were, for that matter, surprised at first, Sulaiman allowed the weight star to face him, something Alvarez has openly viewed as a difficult but achievable challenge. Okay.
Upon hearing that Alvarez broke into the cruiser class, Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed former cruiserweight champion and current unified heavyweight champion, revealed that he would be ready to lose weight to face the challenge. he.
Usyk told BoxingInsider.com: “I can fight him at cruiser. “The only thing is that I hold the belt at heavyweight. I went to cruiser, fought him, then went back to heavyweight. I want to be in the weight class. “
Despite Usyk’s willingness to return to a division he once ruled, many have considered the possibility of a duel between them as unrealistic. On the other hand, Eddie Hearn believes that the Mexican star can completely confront Usyk. Provided, of course, that a suitable weight can be negotiated.
“I think Canelo will fight Usyk,” Hearn said in an interview with IFL TV. “I think obviously, it will have to have the right weight. I cannot see Oleksandr Usyk returning to cruiser class.”
Regardless of what Hearn believes is an actual couple, both men have other plans at the moment. In Usyk’s case, following his upset win over Anthony Joshua to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles – the pair are currently locked deep in negotiations for an immediate rematch. .
As for Alvarez, after aggregating every world title at 168 pounds, as mentioned earlier, the Mexican star is aiming for a cruiserweight run. If it’s Hearn, though, the longtime promoter will see Alvarez try to be the undisputed two-weight champion.
“Personally, I think Canelo should look undisputed at 175. I think he can do it. Not being able to argue in two different weight classes would be unbelievable.”
