By: Hans Themistode
Before Canelo Alvarez could sit back on the newly built throne, the Mexican star was struck by offers for his service.
Alvarez sat in his palatial estate and carefully sifted through two offers fighting multiple battles with the life-changing currency many can only dream of. At one end of the spectrum is PBC’s Al Haymon. After doing business with Alvarez just a few months ago, the power adviser offered Alvarez a two-fight deal where he would take on WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo on May 7, before turning around. four months later to face off against former super middleweight weightlifter, David Benavidez.
Not to be outdone, Eddie Hearn took his seat at the table. He then made a comprehensive and lucrative contract at Alvarez’s direction. However, his is a three-fight contract. On May 7, Hearn fought Dmitry Bivol for the 175-pound WBA lightweight title, followed by a third and presumably final match against Gennadiy Golovkin in September. If all goes well, Alvarez has He could face John Ryder in London at 168 pounds in December, or he could choose to put on weight to take on WBC weight cruiser champion Ilunga Makabu.
Of course, fans of the pugilistic sport begged and begged Alvarez to do the PBC deal. They dreamed of Alvarez facing Houston’s Charlo in a very likely battle in the center of the ring. Those same fans drooled profusely as they pictured Benavidez hitting the Mexican star.
In the end, Alvarez chose against Haymon’s offer and instead shook hands with Hearn. Immediately, fans completely did not believe in his decision. The statements “damaged” both Charlo and Benavidez later when fans believed that Alvarez had taken the easier path.
Finally, we’re here to say… the fans got it wrong. Let’s break down Alvarez’s picks from PBC.
Charlo, an aggressive boxer, comes forward with somewhat of a reputation as a violent puncher and powerful finisher. Wrong. As of 2018, Charlo finished only two of his six opponents.
Aside from Charlo failing to score a knockout at the end, the fight against Alvarez will be in the 168-pound division, a weight class he’s never competed in. To lessen Charlo’s chances against Alvarez, the 31-year-old middleweight spent more time focusing on the sidelines. For the past two years, Charlo has only stepped foot in the ring once a year.
What about Benavidez? The 25-year-old has it all annoyingly. From combo fighting skills to underrated defense, Benavidez has the work speed and offensive firepower that keeps Alvarez in control and thinking. However, his lack of combat experience may have been the cause of his undo. Only once in Benavidez’s 25 professional fights has he shared the ring with a former world champion, Anthony Dirrell in 2019. In time, Benavidez will likely become Alvarez’s deadliest opponent but not now.
In the eyes of many, despite the disadvantages they will face against Alvarez, many remain skeptical about the chances of 40-year-old Golovkin, a barely known Bivol, and if everything goes according to plan. plan. , possibly Makabu.
Consider this, while many have dismissed Golovkin walking in the park due to his age, the same thing happened in 2012. A 39-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez, after his loss to Manny Pacquiao only a year ago, basically not. chance to advance to their fourth challenge. Of course, Marquez will go on to level Pacquiao in the sixth round, ending their four-man rivalry.
While Golovkin has lost a step or even two, his familiarity with Alvarez, over 24 bloody innings, shouldn’t be completely dismissed. And, for what it’s worth, Golovkin believes that unlike many who have found Alvarez to be an intriguing puzzle to unlock, the current IBF middleweight insists that his overall experience will help he won.
“I know Canelo as a martial artist,” Golovkin said in an interview on Walking The Floor. “I have the key to open him, how to fight against Canelo.”
As for his upcoming confrontation against Bivol and his scheduled contest against Makabu, it has been quite warm on the latter. In fact, if Alvarez were to join the cruiser weightlifting list, he would be at a massive weight disadvantage. However, in terms of skill, Makabu was not impressed. The relatively inactive and relatively unknown cruiser belt holder struggled with fringe rival Thabiso Mchunu on January 29, earlier this year, for a decisive victory.
Finally, Bivol presents Alvarez with the most difficult of them all. Not only has he won through 19 professional bouts, but his current light heavyweight championship has seen him land the necessary victories against experienced and notable boxers. like Sullivan Barrera, before he became a laner, Jean Pascal, a former solid and durable champion. , and Joe Smith Jr., the WBO light heavyweight champion at this time.
Most would point to a questionable and unkind finger on Bivol’s close call against Craig Richards in 2021. Despite the scorecards, Bivol has continued to appreciate Umar Salamov at the end of the year, not at all. was a remarkable boxer but a respectable man.
Unlike the rest of the names that all rushed in Alvarez’s direction, Bivol presented countless problems in the ring. From his first approach box comes his speed and power. If we go back further, Bivol has always had a history of competing at the highest levels of the sport, setting a record of 268-15 as an amateur.
Both Charlo and Benavidez are the most recognizable names, flashy and sexy choices. And while they also brought a degree of hostility and will to win with them in the ring, in the face of Bivol, Golovkin and possibly Makabu-Alvarez took a much more dangerous route, even though the fans want to admit it or not.
