By Daniele D’Alessio: In a current interview with boxing social, extremely regarded coach Shane McGuigan is choosing Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) to defeat Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs) in the event that they combat subsequent 12 months.
McGuigan mentions how Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) was in a position to drop Beterbiev and the way the Russian boxer is now 36 years previous, which makes it exhausting for him to make weight.
He then goes on to say that he doesn’t consider Beterbiev might knock Canelo out, and if the Mexican celebrity have been to win, it might be by way of stoppage.
Since turning skilled, Beterbiev has crafted an ideal document and knocked out legit contenders within the type of Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-1, 14 KOs) and Johnson in a devastating style. Nonetheless, it’s truthful to say he has by no means confronted anybody near Alvarez’s stage.
The brand new king of the tremendous middleweight division is on the lookout for his subsequent legacy-building combat, and shifting as much as light-heavyweight to face an undefeated fighter might propel him increased within the record of all-time nice boxers.
Canelo beforehand moved as much as 175 and knocked out Sergey Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) to seize the WBO title. Nonetheless, Beterbiev is on one other stage, “Krusher” had already misplaced twice to Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) and as soon as to Eleider Alvarez (25-2, 13 KOs) when dealing with Alvarez.
Whereas, Beterbiev nonetheless has that air of invincibility that ought to make for a aggressive combat in opposition to the pound-for-pound celebrity. The Russian would have a measurement benefit and arguably extra energy.
Then once more, Canelo has dynamite in his arms, too, and if fighters like Johnson can drop Beterbiev, absolutely Alvarez can do the identical. To not point out the boxing abilities and chin that the Mexican possesses. If Beterbiev can’t knock him out, does he have any probability of successful on the playing cards?
Alvarez shouldn’t be preventing till Could, but a combat in opposition to Beterbiev would positively be an thrilling bout. Then if he is ready to unify at gentle heavyweight, this may undoubtedly place him as an all-time nice.
One factor is for certain; whether or not it’s David Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs), Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs), or Beterbiev subsequent, we will count on to see Canelo in an explosive combat subsequent with a fighter who’s going to go for the knockout.
