Canelo Alvarez has been in the pound-for-pound lists of fans for years, not only because of his impressive performances against men in his division but also his consistent desire to break new ground.
Canelo Alvarez suffered the second defeat of his otherwise astounding career in 2022 when he faced Dmitry Bivol for his light heavyweight crown.
This, however, wasn’t Canelo’s first time stepping up to light heavyweight, as he had first done so back in 2019.
Canelo Alvarez moved up to light heavyweight to dethrone 6ft Russian ‘Krusher’
Following his middleweight title fight with Daniel Jacobs, Canelo made the jump up to light heavyweight to face 6ft Russian champion, Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev.
Kovalev held the WBO light heavyweight title and had a record of 34-3-1, with 29 knockouts. One of those losses came against Eleidar Alvarez and was avenged, whereas the other two came against Andre Ward, though many still believe Kovalev won their first encounter.
The bout took place in Las Vegas, and going into the penultimate round was neck and neck, with the scorecards reading 96-94, 96-94, 95-95 for Canelo.
Perhaps aware of how close the fight was, Canelo, who beat BKFC champion Austin Trout, stepped on the gas and produced an emphatic stoppage of the fearsome Kovalev in round 11.
Canelo had plans to move up to cruiserweight to face one African champion
It seems Bivol dashed more than just Canelo’s chances of another light heavyweight title, but also his dreams of moving up to a fifth-division and challenging for a cruiserweight belt.
In 2021, Canelo, who sparred heavyweight Frank Sanchez, was said to be in talks to face Ilunga Makabu for his cruiserweight title.
Makabu’s record in 2021 was 28-2, having lost his pro debut and, eight years later, his shot of a world title to Tony Bellew.
Makabu later won the cruiserweight belt against Michael Cieslak but lost it again in 2023 to Badou Jack, who punched two referees in his career.
Canelo will face William Scull next, and Terence Crawford later this year.