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Boxing

Canelo Alvarez says he won't make 200lbs vs. Ilunga Makabu, will likely weigh much less than champion

Érika Montoya
Canelo Alvarez says he won't make 200lbs vs. Ilunga Makabu, will likely weigh much less than championAlma Montiel / WBC
After cleaning up in the super middleweight division in 11 months, the Mexican champion says it's time to move on.
At only 31 years old, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has championships in four divisions. He is also undisputed super middleweight champion and the current face of boxing and that opens the door to seek challenges that will take him to the next level, and that includes moving up a division to go for a fifth crown.

"For many people there are limits, but not for me.... I want to thank (Ilunga Makabu) for the opportunity to fight for this title and to continue making history, to put one more star in my career, but I can't (reach 200 pounds), maybe 180, that would be fine," said the Mexican fighter, who in 11 months defeated all the 168-pound champions and who is now analysing his future.

Canelo assured that for a long time he fulfilled everything that had been asked of him in order to be considered among the best and that now it is his turn to choose.

 "2021 was special, to unify this division, something that no one had achieved. To be among the six in the history of boxing (undisputed championship), to be the first Latino. For me it has been the best year. I'm happy and proud to represent all Mexicans and now it's my turn to do what I want. Now the truth is that I faced all the world champions at 168 and I took the title from all of them and now I can do whatever I want," said the Guadalajara native, who will return in May 2022.

However, according to Canelo's trainer, Eddy Reynoso, there are still details to be defined for the fight with Makabu, and the weight will undoubtedly be one of the most complicated issues as the Congolese fighter declared that he would not accept an agreed weight.

"I am very happy to keep making history, to keep looking for challenges, it is a dangerous challenge but I love that kind of challenge," Alvarez said. "A year ago I said no cruiserweight and here we are, so I don't think so (to reach heavyweight) but with Eddy I don't know sometimes. I don't think so. It's not a possibility, my body is not up to it."