Canelo Alvarez is on a mission to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world. But as he sets out a three-fight itinerary for 2021 that would achieve that goal should he be successful, it begs the question: can anyone realistically block his path to immortality?
On the latest episode of 'Jabs' on DAZN, Chris Mannix and former WBC light-middleweight champion Sergio Mora analyzed the men the current WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring 168lb champion would need to conquer to unify the division: current WBO titleholder Billy Joe Saunders and IBF kingpin Caleb Plant.
If Alvarez gets past Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 live on DAZN (except Mexico) as everyone expects him to, a mouth-watering meeting with the unbeaten Saunders could be next. Do Mannix and Mora believe the Mexican star can blemish his record as he did to Saunders' compatriot Callum Smith?
As is often the case, they were in disagreement on the matter.
"Saunders would be a difficult opponent, not a dangerous opponent for Canelo," said Mora. "He's confident, he's a sly puncher, and he's getting better with those body punches. But dangerous is not the right word."
Mannix replied: "He's obviously skilled, one of the better punches at 168lb. But I just think that Saunders is similar to Plant in that he doesn't have an impressive resume, at least not at super-middleweight.
"It's a fine fight and as competitive as you can make for Canelo, and BJS is also undefeated, which is good for a fight like this, but I've seen nothing that makes me think he will offer anything Canelo already hasn't handled."
This prompted Mora to say: "I disagree, as always. He does have a resume, maybe not at 168 yet, but he has taken on some big punchers.
"Andy Lee was a big puncher. David Lemieux was a monster, and Saunders embarrassed him. Chris Eubank Jr is a good power puncher as well, and Saunders beat all of these fighters.
"He's unblemished, a two-time champ and a southpaw. He doesn't have the resume of Canelo, but he has a very respectable resume."
The two bickering broadcasters did, however, find common ground when dissecting Plant's recent shut-out victory over Caleb Truax to retain his title.Plant is likely to wait until later in the year, perhaps September, to challenge whichever competitor walks out of a hypothetical Canelo vs. Saunders bout with all the gold.
"It was impressive, but it was also expected," said Mora of Plant's victory.
"It was a one-sided fight, Plant won every single round, but he didn't get the stoppage against a 37-year-old Truax. But he didn't take any chances on a Prime Time TV fight. Good for him. And he did hurt his hand in the fight.”
Mannix added: "I didn't learn anything about Plant from this fight. One of the biggest problems in this division is that all of the best fighters are waiting for their chance to challenge Canelo Alvarez."
Check out the entire episode of 'Jabs', as Mannix and Mora discuss Canelo, Saunders and Plant as well as the ongoing Ryan Garcia-Manny Pacquiao situation, with a DAZN subscription.