By: Hans Themistode
Most of the boxing world was shocked when it was announced that Canelo Alvarez would move from 168 pounds to cruiserweight to fight WBC belt holder Ilunga Makabu.
Although the Mexican star won the world championship in the 175-pound class against Sergey Kovalev in 2019, he soon admitted that fighting as a light heavyweight for a period of time drags on. long would be too much demand for his body. However, despite those words, Alvarez will look to dominate as the cruiser class champion in the first half of 2022.
While Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the WBC sanctioning body, has allowed Alvarez to skip ahead and challenge Makabu for his world title, the Mexican product may be forced to change course as Makabu will go head to head. with Thabiso Mchunu on January 29.
If Makabu takes care of the business, he will enter the confrontation with Alvarez as the significantly older man. However, despite dwarfing the weight star, recently retired boxer turned trainer Malik Scott believes Makabu will essentially go for a walk in the park.
Scott said in an interview with ESNEWS: “Canelo is a technically too good guy for him. “He has never fought anyone with surgery like Canelo, especially when it comes to the body. I think stylistically, he’s food for Canelo. ”
Alvarez, 31, is still basking in his recent undisputed glory. After stripping Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders the super-middleweight titles, Alvarez became the first boxer to hold all four world championships at 168 pounds after a 11-round victory over Caleb Plant just over a month before.
While many expected Alvarez to run at 168 pounds or move into the long haul in the light heavyweight division, he opted for history instead. If Alvarez wins the cruiser world championship belt, he will become the first fifth-place champion of Mexican descent.
By all accounts, Scott does not discredit Makabu’s overall skills. In fact, his penchant for knockouts and his reign of the title is approaching three years, and the new head coach has turned his head to tip his hat towards Makabu as a form of respect. However, while Scott is fully aware that Alvarez will face the biggest puncher of his career, Scott does not believe that Alvarez will need any assistance from the referees if and when both horn lock.
“He’s a good fighter, very fit and deserving of this shot but he was picked for a reason. I really wouldn’t be surprised if Canelo stopped him.”
