Canelo Alvarez didn't mince words with a tweet late Wednesday. In fact, his sentiments showed a keen awareness that he understands the target being placed on him.
Yes, there are plenty of boxers coveting a shot at the cash cow of boxing in the very near future. Here, DAZN takes a look at several of those boxers and what it'd mean for them to clash with Canelo.
Jermall Charlo
Although nothing has been announced as of yet formally, there has been an ESPN report pointing to a Canelo vs. Jermall Charlo fight likely to take place during Mexican Independence Day weekend this September. Such a fight would be facilitated from the recent three-fight deal that Canelo signed with Premier Boxing Champions.
It would also have Canelo (59-2-2, 39 KOs) defending his undisputed super middleweight crown against and looking for his 60 professional victory against an undefeated Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs), who last defended his WBC middleweight world championship with a unanimous decision victory over Juan Macias Montiel back in June 2021. Also, Charlo has never fought at super middleweight’s 168 pounds in his pro career.
Still, despite Charlo's lengthy layoff, one figures that Canelo would bring the very best out of him in what would easily be the biggest fight of the 33-year-old American's life.
David Benavidez
Of all the boxers throughout the middleweight and super middleweight landscape, David Benavidez has been most aggressive in calling out Canelo. Benavidez’s unanimous decision victory over Caleb Plant to retain the WBC interim super middleweight title in March has only fueled the 26-year-old’s Canelo campaign that much further.
Like Charlo, Benavidez fights under the PBC promotional banner, making a clash with Canelo seemingly a doable bout considering the face of boxing’s new deal.
Benavidez has delivered 23 of his 27 pro wins by the way of knockout and is one of boxing’s best switch hitters. Standing six-foot-two with an eight-inch reach advantage and a willingness to stay in the pocket while producing a high punch volume, Benavidez could very well pose the most stern test for Canelo of all. Plus, there seems to be an uptick from fans clamoring for this fight, making its prospects all the more mouthwatering.
Errol Spence Jr.
The undefeated, unified welterweight world champion is counting down the days to the biggest fight of his career July 29 against WBO welterweight titleholder Terence Crawford. However, preparing and promoting for the fight didn’t stop Spence from acknowledging how much he’d like to fight Canelo in the near future, especially if successful against Crawford.
“If the fight [against Canelo] comes across the table, I’d definitely take that fight,” Spence told the Dallas Cowboys’ YouTube channel three weeks ago. “At 165, 168, that’s more my natural weight and a lot easier for me to make, so I’d definitely take that fight.”
A Canelo-Spence showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. would be huge.
Carlos Adames
The interim WBC middleweight champion wants a shot at the winner of the projected Canelo vs. Charlo fight and let that be known following his own stoppage win over Julian Williams last weekend.
“Like I said, I’ve wanted to fight Charlo and of course I want to fight Canelo," Adames told BoxingScene.com recently. "If they fight, I have no problem moving up to fight the winner. I’m the best fighter from 154-168 pounds and I keep proving it every fight,” said Adames.
“Let me get my hands on either guy and you will see me take it to an even higher level. Charlo has refused to fight me but he can’t duck me forever.
“We are all on the same side of the street. Let’s make these fights that the fans want and see who the best fighter really is.”
Another fighter who has Canelo in his crosshairs.
Dmitry Bivol
By default, Dmitry Bivol has to make this list. Despite the PBC deal that Canelo struck, his May 2022 unanimous decision loss to Bivol at light heavyweight remains a defeat that the Mexican has desperately wanted to avenge. Whether that feeling dissipates in the near future remains to be seen, but it’s probably a bout that Canelo would like to run back just to even the score.
Badou Jack
The WBC cruiserweight champion did make it a point to tweet this earlier in June in reaction to news of a possible clash between he and Canelo.
Well, that being said, and considering Canelo’s penchant for wanting to make history, don’t count this out altogether just yet. Although we know that Canelo is probably most comfortable at middleweight and super middleweight, another notch at boxing history could entice him to move up in weight again. After all, Canelo is a former light heavyweight world champ.
Edgar Berlanga
Though the undefeated 26-year-old lacks the experience that some of the other fighters on this list possess, Berlanga didn’t hesitate throwing his name in the Canelo sweepstakes.
Well before defeating Jason Quigley last weekend to remain undefeated, Berlanga told DAZN’s Chris Mannix “if it’s not that, why should I be boxing?” when asked about trying to line himself up with a fight against Alvarez.