Artur Beterbiev says he’ll agree to Canelo Alvarez fight

By Boxing News - 07/31/2021 - Comments

By Sean Jones: Unbeaten IBF/WBC 175-lb Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs) has thrown his hat into the ring to volunteer to face Canelo Alvarez next for his fight in September.

Beterbiev believes it would be easy to negotiate a fight with Canelo, and he’s waiting for his management to contact him to begin talks.

Surprisingly, Beterbiev hasn’t been approached for a fight with Canelo for his next match on September 18th.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly mentioned that WBA light heavyweight champion Dimitry Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) is the “frontrunner” as the Plan-B option for Canelo if he’s unable to bang out a deal with Premier Boxing Champions [PBC] for the undisputed match against IBF 168-lb champion Caleb Plant for September 18th.

Is Canelo avoiding Beterbiev?

The two-time Russian Olympian Beterbiev, 36, is considered the #1 fighter at light heavyweight in the eyes of many fans.  That might be working against Beterbiev, the most DANGEROUS of the fighters at 175, because Canelo might not want to risk his hide against the hard-hitting two-belt champion.

It’s one thing for Canelo to lose a dull 12 round majority decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr in September 2013, but it’s another thing to get knocked out by Beterbiev.

Image: Artur Beterbiev says he'll agree to Canelo Alvarez fight

Canelo is making good money beating guys like Avni Yildirim, Billy Joe Saunders, Callum Smith, and Rocky Fielding. If Canelo faces an elite fighter like Beterbiev, he could get exposed in the worst way by him.

The fighters Canelo has been beating are guys that the other top 168-pounders David Benavidez and David Morrell, would likely beat as well, but likely in a more impressive fashion.

“It would not be difficult for [Canelo Alvarez’s] representatives to come to an agreement with me,” said Beterbiev to MatchTV.

“If [Canelo’s management] contact me, I will give them a positive answer,” Beterbiev continued

“I want to become an undisputed champion or try my hand at a fight with Canelo,” said the unbeaten IBF/WBC 175-lb champion Beterbiev.

This would be a VERY difficult fight for Canelo, considering that Beterbiev is dangerous on the inside.

He’s able to generate an uncanny amount of power on his short punches in close, and he would take full advantage of Canelo’s habit of brawling in close. If Canelo made the mistake of slugging with Beterbiev on the inside, he might not last long before he’s taken out.

Most of the guys Beterbiev fights nowadays avoid fighting him in close at all costs because they’ve done their homework well.

They know if they mix it up with Beterbiev at close range, the risk of getting knocked would be too high. Canelo has a big ego, had might actually believe he can get the better of Beterbiev on the inside.

If that’s the case, it should be fun to see how long Canelo lasts before he’s hammered to the canvas on September 18th.

Beterbiev likely won’t be given Canelo fight

It doesn’t look promising that Beterbiev will get the fight with Canelo on September 18th, does it? I mean, if Beterbiev hasn’t been contacted yet by Team Canelo, that’s a pretty good indication that they’re not interested in using him as the Plan-B option.

Image: Artur Beterbiev says he'll agree to Canelo Alvarez fight

If you look at the big picture, it’s better for Canelo to face Beterbiev next, as there will be less of a backlash for him with the boxing public.

If Canelo gets beaten by Beterbiev, he can tell the fans that he took on the #1 guy at 175 and tried his best.

In turn, the fans would respect Canelo, give him a break, and not hammer him the way they would if he lost to Dimitry Bivol, Caleb Plant, or Jermall Charlo.