By Max Schramm: Eddie Hearn wants Canelo Alvarez to focus his attention on becoming the undisputed champion at 175 instead of putting energy into capturing a fifth division world title by going up to cruiserweight.
Hearn feels that it would be time well spent for the superstar Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) if he were to move up to light heavyweight to dethrone these three champions:
- Artur Beterbiev – IBF & WBC
- Dmitry Bivol – WBA
- Joe Smith Jr. – WBO
If Canelo is going to try and become the undisputed champion at 175, he needs to make that move as soon as possible. It’ll be more challenging for Canelo to try and become the undisputed champion at light heavyweight if he waits until he’s 33 or 34.
There will likely be new blood at the top of the division by that time, and Canelo may be too old to beat those guys. Now is the ideal time for Canelo to go after the dangerous but vulnerable champions.
Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs) is considered the #1 guy, but he’s getting old, and he looks like he’s lost a step from his game in his last two fights.
Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 KOs) appears to be fighting at a higher level now than Beterbiev and Bivol, and it would be a brutal fight for Canelo due to his raw power.
Hearn wants Canelo to focus on 175 division
If you were to ask Hearn who he would prefer the 31-year-old Canelo fight next, he would likely say he wants him to face WBA 175-lb champion Bivil (19-0, 11 KOs).
The Russian fighter Bivol is promoted by Hearn, and he needs a win over a superstar like Canelo to take his career to the next level.
Unfortunately, Bivol has looked unimpressive in his last three fights against Umar Salamov, Craig Richards, and Lenin Castillo.
The way that Bivol is fighting now, he’s not going to stay champion for too much longer without help from Hearn and the World Boxing Association to delay fighting Joshua Buatsi.
That’s a fight that Bivol will surely lose at this point of his career, which is why Hearn must persuade Canelo to fight him while he’s still in possession of his WBA strap.
Hearn also promotes Buatsi, but he would like to see Bivol get a chance to make like-changing money against Canelo before he loses his WBA strap.
“I think Canelo would fight Oleksandr Usyk, but I think it would have to be an agreeable weight,” said Eddie Hearn to iFL TV. “I can’t see Usyk coming back down to cruiserweight. And I know there are discussions about Canelo and Makabu.
“I personally think Canelo should look to become undisputed at 175,” said Hearn. “And I think he can do it. To be undisputed in two weight classes will be incredible, and I think that’s a move that will be very exciting.
Eddie to meet with Canelo
“I’ll be sitting down with Saul and Eddy Reynoso in the next two weeks and put my thoughts and my offers to him, and we’ll see what he wants to do,” said Hearn about Canelo. “I’m sure he’ll get plenty of other offers as well.
“I’d love to,” said Hearn when asked if he’ll continue to work with Canelo. “I get along really well with Saul and Eddy Reynoso.
“It’s not just a case of they’re going to work with me if there’s a better opportunity. But it’s my job to provide the best opportunities. We know we’re the best promotional company out there for him, but we have to show him the right path, and hopefully, we’ll do that in early January.
“I’m sure everyone around that weight class will look at Canelo Alvarez as the big opportunity, the big money fight.
“So whether you’re Dmitry Bivol or whether you’re Joe Smith and whether you’re Artur Beterbiev, you hope that Canelo Alvarez will give you that call to give you the opportunity to be in a mega-fight,” said Hearn.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn can convince Canelo to go after the light heavyweight champions to try and become the undisputed champion.
Canelo stands a good chance of accomplishing that task if he goes after those belt-holders right now, but we’ll see if he listens to Hearn.
Alvarez and his manager/trainer Eddy Reynoso may opt to go up to cruiserweight to try and capture a belt against WBC champion Ilunga Makabu next.