Canelo Alvarez could make historical past by difficult Artur Beterbiev for his undisputed gentle heavyweight championship subsequent. Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) is with out an opponent because of his rematch with Dmitry Bivol being pushed again to October 2025 for the following Riyadh Season opening, and Canelo can be superb.
The upside for Canelo in preventing and defeating Artur Beterbiev can be monumental for his legacy as a result of he’s one of the best of one of the best at 175. Alvarez has all the time executed nicely in opposition to fighters who struggle aggressively, defeating Gennadiy Golovkin and Miguel Cotto of their primes. Beterbiev is identical form of aggressive, huge punching fighter as these guys, however just a bit bit greater.
Canelo is coming off a victory over the large gentle heavyweight-sized Edgar Berlanga, and he confirmed in that struggle that he had the expertise to take care of a 193-lb fighter. He dominated Berlanga, who seemed greater of their struggle on September 14th than Beterbiev in his latest contest on October twelfth.
The celebrity Canelo (62-2-2, 39 KOs) might problem Beterbiev, the King of the sunshine heavyweight weight class, for his 4 belts and thus attempt to turn into a two-division champion.
Is It Well worth the Danger for Canelo?
Whereas there can be an opportunity that Canelo would fail in opposition to Beterbiev, he would obtain much less flak from followers than if he had been to struggle David Benavidez or one of many fighters within the 168-lb division and lose. Canelo can be applauded for being courageous sufficient to face Beterbiev.
There can be extra fan curiosity if Canelo confirmed bravery by transferring as much as 175 to struggle Beterbiev than if he stayed at 168 to proceed preventing lesser fighters. Canelo has damage his model within the final handful of fights, dealing with this flawed bunch:
– Edgar Berlanga
– Jaime Munguia
– Jermell Charlo
– John Ryder
Preventing these lesser guys was a mistake for Canelo, and he ought to moved as much as 175 completely after his loss to Bivol in 2022. Staying at 168 to struggle that weak bunch damage Canelo’s recognition with followers as a result of it made him seem that he was simply padding his checking account with delicate opposition.
Canelo has extra to realize by transferring as much as 175 to struggle Beterbiev than he has to lose, and it wouldn’t be the tip of the world if he had been to lose to this stage of fighter. Even when Canelo does get knocked out by Beterbiev, it will nonetheless be price it.
Beterbiev turns 40 in January, and he doesn’t have a lot time left earlier than he retires. If Canelo needs to face this gifted champion earlier than he leaves the game, this may be one of the best time to do it. He can’t wait for an additional two to a few years to face Beterbiev as a result of he’ll possible have retired by then, and even when he’s nonetheless preventing, he’ll be older.
