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Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is now in the twilight of his career. And if fans had to identify a defining characteristic of this phase, many would shout about the lack of risk: the lack of risk in his opponent selection, and the lack of risk in his fighting style. Those same fans have made it clear, usually on social media, that in their eyes the multi-weight world champion is “tarnishing his legacy” with this approach. Others have taken issue with the suggestion, claiming that the ‘face of boxing’ has earned the right to do whatever he wants at 34 years of age – to make money as he sees fit.
Both arguments may be valid. Canelo has blessed boxing over the past decade with his sheer activity, an approach that can actually be traced back to his professional debut in 2005, when the Mexican was just 15 years old. And his enduring presence will be missed when he retires. His commitment to the sport and his willingness to regularly immerse himself in the brightest lights – from the arenas of Las Vegas to the stadiums of Mexico – will be remembered.
And that same commitment has arguably earned Canelo the right to ‘ease’ himself into retirement – as if there is anything ‘easy’ in boxing. Because, just as some fans were not excited by Alvarez’s last four fights, there is nothing easy about facing Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo, John Ryder or Gennady Golovkin.
It would be naive to dismiss the criticism of the fight as such, however. Of course, Canelo’s first two fights with Golovkin – in 2017 and 2018 – were far more difficult prospects than the trilogy bout with the then 40-year-old ‘GGG’, and that last fight felt unnecessary and almost unfair to Golovkin (with some in the boxing world insisting he had been deprived of his two previous wins over his rival). And yes, most pundits were not so convinced by Munguia, Charlo and Ryder’s chances, but each fighter had something going for him. And on each occasion, Canelo took that away from them.
On each occasion, he knocked his opponents out en route to a clear points victory, and many observers still want more from Canelo: not just in terms of opponent profile, but also in terms of fighting philosophy. Many want the current super-middleweight champion (formerly undisputed, now unified after the IBF belt was taken from him) to try a little harder, take a few more risks, to get the finish.
Canelo, who has become more irascible of late and more articulate in English, might argue that he doesn’t need to take such risks. His stoppages of Amir Khan, Sergey Kovalev and Caleb Plant will be replayed for years – perhaps decades – to come. Even his losses to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol were deserved. And why give up more of his defense to chase a knockout when it’s not nearly as strong as it was in his prime?
The answer may be ‘legacy’, but then again, Canelo would argue that his legacy is secure. And that all brings us to Saturday, to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, to Canelo vs Berlanga.
The fight that fans wanted most was between Canelo and David Benavidez, the interim WBC light heavyweight champion. And Canelo chose to fight the undefeated 27-year-old, but not Benavidez.
In contrast, Canelo put his belts on the line against Edgar Berlanga on Mexican Independence Day weekend. Fans were skeptical that Berlanga had a chance against the champ, while Alvarez vs. Benavidez felt like a much closer fight.
Does Canelo see it the same way? Is he really ‘shunning’ Benavidez because he recognises the threat of the bigger, younger man? He would say otherwise. “Look, he didn’t accomplish anything,” Canelo said after beating Munguia in May.[He’s beaten] one singles champion, Anthony Dirrell. Please, don’t disrespect me.”
Benavidez also beat former champion Plant, who Canelo beat in 2021 – and actually more convincingly than Benavidez did. However, some fans might argue: if the American’s track record was better, would Canelo be more likely to fight him? Or, at this point in Canelo’s career, would the Mexican be less likely to fight him?
Canelo has said he would fight Benavidez for the right money, but the amount he might ask for may seem unreasonable. Or at least, it did until Saudi Arabia took over boxing recently.
Canelo has yet to fight on a Turkish Al-Sheikh show, and the Mexican even seemed upset with Saudi advisors’ recent push for a superfight with Terence Crawford. However, a reasonable guess is that Canelo will fight on a Saudi show before it’s all over. Could he do it against Benavidez? It’s a possibility. It would make less money than a fight with Crawford, but it would make more sense.
Benavidez isn’t next, and neither is Crawford; Berlanga is next. And the Puerto Rican will enter T-Mobile Arena with full confidence that he can extend his 22-0 record, even if fans don’t share that belief.
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