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BOXING

Can Canelo Álvarez reign at cruiserweight?

The Mexican superstar, who defeated Caleb Plant via TKO last Saturday, is willing to keep improving and solidify himself as one of the best boxers ever.

Update:
The Mexican superstar, who defeated Caleb Plant via TKO last Saturday, is willing to keep improving and solidify himself as one of the best boxers ever.

It has been said and heard that Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez is the face of boxing nowadays. A statement that probably wouldn’t surprise many people, as the Mexican fighter has been delivering amazing performances over the last years.

Truth is that in the past he was criticized for taking on ‘light opposition’ –Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, James Kirkland…- or facing boxers past their prime –Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley or even Gennady Golovkin-, but he has also shown his will to face whoever is ready to step into the ring in seeking for greatness.

After losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr via unanimous decision in 2013, ‘Canelo’ has been working non-stop together with his coaches, led by Eddy Reynoso -named the best trainer of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

In 16 fights since that sole career loss (15 wins, one draw), the 31-year-old Álvarez has won titles at light-middleweight, middleweight, super-middleweight and light-heavyweight. Last Saturday he unified the super-middleweight division by defeating Caleb Plant in the 11th round. He is the only fighter in history to be an undisputed champion in that category.

Canelo looking for success at cruiserweight?

Now the question is, what’s next for Canelo? One of the possible answers would be winning a belt in another división… and the cruiserweight category could be the chosen one.

Obviously, for most boxing fans that may sound like a joke, but the Mexican loves challenges and shows his best face when he’s doubted. Many thought he would have a hard time against way bigger fighters like Sergey Kovalev or Callum Smith, but in the end, he got away with the win.

Last Saturday, David Haye, considered as one of the cruiserweight greats, and Carl Frampton, the former super-bantam and featherweight champion, both said Canelo can do it.

In boxing, besides strength, power, heart, stamina, and a good feet game, intelligence is needed. And Canelo’s team is very aware of it, so in the case of challenging the cruiserweight division, Álvarez would choose the reigning IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis.

On paper, the Mexican would have a better shot against him than against current WBC/IBF light-heavyweight ruler Artur Beterbiev, who in the past months seemed to be a possible opponent.

“Talking about Canelo going up to cruiserweight, Roy Jones went up to heavyweight, beating John Ruiz, and he was originally a middleweight, so anything’s possible… He seems that good that he could go up there and do the unthinkable and fight cruiserweights,” Haye said.

Will Canelo try his chances at cruiserweight? Would he finally choose Breidis as an opponent? Would he become a five-division champ? It seems too early to start thinking about it or a very risky move for the Mexican, but truth is that after his victory over Plant, this possibility could be more real and happen more quickly than what boxing fans think.