Canelo’s legacy rests on Benavidez and Bivol

By Jack Walsh

SAUL “Canelo” Álvarez had a dominant Saturday evening performance that was expected by all boxing fans alike. However, it’s now time for the Mexican superstar to tackle a couple of bouts head-on in order to further cement his legacy.

The unified super-middleweight world champ has proven at 34 years old that he is still king of the sport, outputting and landing more punches than Edgar Berlanga and showcasing his sneaky left hook (which floored Berlanga in the third round) to a sold-out T-Mobile Arena. But, as a member of the media, I and millions of fans across the globe are looking for more competitive fights.

Giving young, hungry opponents in Jaime Munguia and Berlanga an opportunity on the big stage, and even forcing Jermell Charlo to eat his trash-talking words, has undoubtedly been a great money-making enterprise while entertaining for fans. However, it feels time to take a risk in the name of greatness, one or two more times, before Father Time grabs a true hold of Canelo.

Sure, Alvarez could call it quits right now, as a four-division champ and multimillionaire, though the world is begging for a bout with David Benavidez — ideally at 168 lbs. The fight has been ongoing in discussions for three long years among the media, fans and even apparently the respective camps, who couldn’t agree on numbers. And yet a victory over the WBC Interim light-heavyweight champ would prove that Canelo can adapt to a fighter who throws high volume and consistent critical power shots.

Better yet, Benavidez stands around six-and-a-half inches taller than Canelo, another indicator that he is probably the only possible threat regarding potential damage to Canelo in a toe-to-toe match-up. Many fans believe that Canelo is ducking, although he rejects this idea. Nevertheless, constant chatter makes this the fight that can end the speculation once and for all and provide all parties with a massive PPV payday.

For Canelo, it seems simple. Silence the hate, ensure punch dominance with effective catch and shoots — ideally to the body with left hooks — and control of pace on the inside against a lanky power puncher, and prove to the world who the king is. After all, in Canelo’s post-fight interview, he claimed to be the best boxer in the world — show us this to be true!

Next, a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, assuming he beats Artur Beterbiev, which Canelo explained he would be interested in. Alvarez took this bout initially as a challenge. Still, redemption and taking the Russian’s “0” speaks volumes to the determination of the future Hall of Famer this deep into his career, if Canelo jumps back up to 175 lbs, and if the contract does, in fact, get signed by both parties.

Saul’ Canelo’ Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol alongside WBA president Gilberto Mendoza (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

To avenge his only loss besides Mayweather, Canelo must be out for blood this time. Revenge in the name of legacy and greatness: break down Bivol’s ring technicality, do not let him initiate length or instill his jab and throw hefty, consistent combos to force openings in Bivols top tier defense. Alvarez cannot fight from a distance, as Bivol will just stick him with his jarring ones and twos.

It sounds bold, but if these two bouts are won, Canelo will have nothing left to prove in his journey. He can be deemed arguably the greatest and most entertaining fighter of our generation next to Floyd, and a debatable figure in the top 10 or 15 of all time.