By: Hans Themistode
Canelo Alvarez has continued to look far and wide for what he sees as a challenge.
After winning the final piece of the 168-pound puzzle against Caleb Plant about two weeks ago to become the division’s first undisputed world champion, the Mexican star was brimming with joy. However, shortly after, a hole appeared again.
While Alvarez has no shortage of big fights to choose from, both he and head coach Eddy Reynoso, chose not to fight WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, two-time super middleweight titleholder David Benavidez, and unified light heavyweight athlete Artur Betterbiev. Instead, the Alvarez team showed more interest in making history.
During the recent World Boxing Council convention, Reynoso asked Alvarez to be allowed to grow from 168 pounds to take on the current cruiser belt holder, Ilunga Makabu.
“As a representative of Canelo,” Reynoso said during the WBC convention. “I am here to ask the World Boxing Council, the next match for Canelo will be the cruiser champion. [Ilunga] Makabu for May or June. ”
Although initially surprised, Mauricio Sulaiman, the President of the sanctioning body, formally agreed to allow their contest to proceed.
“This was a huge surprise,” said Sulaiman. “But the WBC unanimously approved Saul Canelo Alvarez to fight for the cruiser world championship.”
Now, as the two seem to be at odds, Makabu has expressed her feelings about Alvarez’s ambition.
Makabu said in an interview with Fight Hub TV: “I can say that he is crazy for wanting to challenge a dangerous guy.
Makabu, 34, came to prominence in January 2020. Since suffering a surprising third-round defeat at the hands of Tony Bellew in 2016, the South African resident has had nine straight wins, seven in That number came from the first half.
After his unanimous decision victory over Michal Cieslak, Makabu wrapped the empty WBC tiara around her waist. He would then go on to stop Olanrewaju Durodola 11 months later.
While Makabu firmly believes he is the best fighter in the cruiser weight class, the fact that Alvarez is willing to step into his territory is astounding. When a confrontation between the pair was brought to him, Makabu admitted that he was starting to experience a lot of emotions.
Makabu explained: “My first feeling was, I’m facing the best fighter on the planet. “Secondly, I said why did he choose me? I understand that he didn’t choose me, but time chose me because I’m already a champion.”
If Alvarez successfully steals Makabu’s WBC crown, he will become the first first-year world champion of Mexican descent. Admittedly, Makabu applauds Alvarez for his aspirations. Also, while the 34-year-old never anticipated a duel between them, he revealed that he has watched some of Alvarez’s matches.
Throughout the Mexican star’s career, he has been praised not only for his boxing abilities but also for his granite chin. With that said, Makabu can’t wait to find out how durable Alvarez is in the ring.
“I can box, I can punch. Let’s see if Canelo can take it.”
