Canelo Alvarez offered immediate world title shot by dangerous 6’2 champion after Terence Crawford loss

David Benavidez is offering Canelo Alvarez a chance to settle their long-term rivalry and potentially claim a world title while doing so.

For the first time in seven years Canelo woke up this month without a title to his name, after Terence Crawford claimed the Mexican’s undisputed super-middleweight crown.

Despite the defeat, Alvarez is still a top target for anyone that wants to fight a highly regarded pound-for-pound legend.

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One man that’s made it clear that he has his sights set on the 35-year-old is the reigning WBC light-heavyweight champion, Benavidez.

In his latest call-out, on the Inside The Ring show, he explained: “I feel like everything that’s happening in my career, I’m in a great position in every single way.

“I wasn’t going to go down to 168lbs but now if Canelo wants to come up then come, I got the WBC world title at 175lbs.

“After I beat Bivol I’m going to have all the belts so after that happens, now I’m the one that has the power, now I’m the one.

“Canelo says he doesn’t fight for greatness, he fights for titles.

“Well let me go pick up all the titles and let’s come back to the table and talk.”

Just four years after emerging on the professional scene, Benavidez came into possession of the vacant WBC super middleweight title after beating Ronald Gavril via split decision.

As the 6’2 dangerous monster was then the No.1 WBC contender in line to challenge Canelo for his super middleweight belt, it was anticipated that they would one day face-off.

It’s undeniable that the pair share a complex history, having been in a verbal back-and-forth for years but Benavidez remains eager to settle their score.

Alvarez retained boxing fans’ hopes of facing Benavidez, given his camp denied that he rejected a $55 million offer to face his rival.

But it has still yet to materialise, and Alvarez is now at a crossroads in his boxing career.

Benavidez then decided to move up to light-heavyweight last June to meet Oleksandr Gvozdyk instead.

In defeating Gvozdyk, he became the interim WBC light-heavyweight world title, before being upgraded to the WBC’s full champion at 175lbs, after defeating David Morrell in February.

Are we likely to see Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez fight?

Benavidez has made it clear that he has a bout with Canelo on his mind, and hopes that his rival will be enticed by his titles.

After his initial success at light heavyweight, Benavidez has found himself gearing up for his first title defence against Anthony Yarde on November 22.

But from Alvarez’s end, his future is completely up in the air.

The Mexican in the past has leapt up to 175lbs, first putting on a stunning display to beat Sergey Kovalev in 2019.

Although in his most recent leap up to that weight, Alvarez was comprehensively outboxed by Dmitry Bivol three years later.

It is hugely unlikely the bout will now ever take place, with the pair on different trajectories entirely.

After Conquering Canelo, Terence Crawford Faces A New Threat In Middleweight King Janibek Alimkhanuly

Janibek Alimkhnuly posted today on X, saying he would “gladly” like to face Terence Crawford if he chooses to move down to 160 to challenge for a world title. Crawford needs to win a world title at middleweight to become a six-division world champion.

Middleweight Sharks Waiting In Deep Waters

The IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek (17-0, 12 KOs) is one of three world champions at 160, and is considered by many boxing experts as the best fighter in the division.

READ: Terence Crawford’s Throne Under Threat as Naoya Inoue

Crawford would likely have an easier time challenging WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara or WBC champion Carlos Adames for his belt.

The 42-year-old Lara might be the safer bet for Crawford because he wouldn’t have to take as much punishment as he would if he chose to fight Adames or Janibek for their titles.

Unlike Canelo, those fighters won’t tire after eight rounds, nor will they be hesitant to attack as he was. Crawford would be under a constant bombardment, and he would have to rely on his movement to save him from getting worked over by those younger fighters.

Madrimov Already Exposed the Cracks

They arguably hit harder than Israil Madrimov, who gave Crawford a lot of problems in their fight on May 3, 2024.

Crawford may think it’s a given that he can move down to 160 and snatch world titles because he beat Canelo Alvarez at 168. It’s a different story with middleweight champions Adames and Alimkhnuly.

They’re both still in their primes, and would likely show a lot more aggression than the tired, depleted-looking Alvarez did.

What’s unclear is whether Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) will choose to come down in weight from 168, as he captured the undisputed super middleweight championship on September 13, dethroning Canelo Alvarez via 12-round unanimous decision.

Crawford’s Legacy On The Line

Crawford has options if he chooses to stay at 168, but they entail a lot of risk for him. The fighters on his doorstep could defeat him and ruin his legacy and dreams of being included on the all-time great list. Moving down to 160 might be the safer move for Crawford, who turns 38 on September 28.

Terence Crawford Reveals How He Frustrated Canelo Alvarez During Historic Win

Terence Crawford has looked back on his September 13 win against Canelo Alvarez, detailing how he managed to frustrate the Mexican during their fight.

Crawford took Canelo’s shots well despite moving up two weight classes. He timed his shots perfectly, not allowing Alvarez to implement his game plan at all. Canelo’s frustration was visible as he tried to get himself going but couldn’t execute what he was looking for.

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Crawford walked away with a unanimous decision, 116-114, 155-113, and 115-113, becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion. And during a recent chat with Shawn Porter, Crawford detailed how he neutralized Canelo inside the ring.

Terence Crawford analyzes Canelo Alvarez win

Crawford pointed out Canelo’s fights against Floyd Mayweather, Erislandy Lara, Caleb Plant, and Dmitry Bivol, claiming he could do all those styles. ‘Bud’ added that he was prepared for everything Canelo could offer and knew Alvarez hasn’t been using his jab as effectively in the last few years.

Speaking on The Porterway Podcast, he said, “I see is him fighting Lara, him fighting Caleb Plant, him fighting Mayweather, him fighting um uh Bivol, all those styles. I’m capable of doing all those in one.”

My train of thought is if I can take your punch, you in for a long night. I felt I took his punch really well and it wasn’t nothing that I needed to worry about. That’s why I was so comfortable in there. But my coaches just like the whole camp, stay disciplined.”

– Terence Crawford

Crawford added, “We knew Canelo going to bring out all the old tricks and things like that. So, we prepared for everything. We prepared for him to jab. We prepared for him to counter. We prepared for him to, you know, go backwards and box. I know in at times you see him he back up and put himself on the ropes and I just look at him you know we’re not going to fall into that.”

Crawford previously said in the same interview, “Round by round you could tell that he was getting more frustrated and then he’ll just start, you know what I mean? Saying, “Come on, champion. Come on. Come on, champion. Come on.”

Canelo Alvarez’s Boxing Future in Jeopardy Despite WBC’s Backing, Ex-World Champ Fears

A quick glance at boxing rankings, and the landscape depicts a different picture than it did a week ago. In the super middleweight division, the champion’s row has only one name: Terence Crawford. The WBA and WBC’s format lists Jose Armando Resendiz and Christian M’billi as interim title holders. What stands out is the number one name in the contender’s list. Right after M’billi, WBC’s first-ranked contender is Canelo Alvarez. Until a week ago his name was embossed at the top.

The loss to Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium may have put a brake on Canelo’s career. Since defeating Rocky Fielding back in 2018, he has ruled the division. He still has two fights left under the Riyadh Season deal, and remains a big name in the division and in boxing in general. But there is no denying it: A narrative that a prime Canelo Alvarez may be a thing of the past now seems to linger. One only needs to review former champion Paulie Malignaggi‘s pointed observations to gauge the undercurrents.

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Has time finally run out on Canelo Alvarez?

Boxing Scene‘s podcast had barely started when the host asked Malignaggi, “What is, to you, the biggest movement at 168? Is it Canelo being number one, ranked number one by WBC? Is it the M’billi rematch with Lester Martinez? What do you think will happen? Is Crawford staying at 68? What’s the X factor to you?” The former junior welterweight champion responded, “I like the Martinez rematch because it pushes more for the future, and it keeps pushing continuity.”

He explained. Crawford had a great victory, but he is getting old. It remains uncertain how long he will stay at 168 pounds. “Canelo, you know, he’s a big name, so he’s going to be in the conversation all the time. But again, there’s not much continuity there because how much longer is he really going to be around, you know?” Paulie Malignaggi asked.

That is where Christian M’billi and Lester Martinez’s rematch comes into play. The outcome provides the division with a way forward. The host pressed. Canelo still remains one of boxing’s biggest money spinners. So, Paulie Malignaggi highlighted one stark reality.

The truth and the path forward

Even if WBC placed him at the top of their contender’s list, it may not necessarily bring him rewards. “The good thing about WBC is even if you’re the number one contender, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fight for the title. You can be the number one contender for, like, five years and never fight for the title,” Malignaggi said.

In Canelo’s case there might be exceptions, he believed. Despite the loss, he is still one of the biggest names in boxing.

It is hard to imagine how a loss could end up for the proverbial face of the sport. But that seems to be the case. There has been clamor for a rematch. If open about it, neither Crawford nor Canelo has expressed any commitment to a second fight either.

Perhaps the best recourse for Canelo could be a face-off against a rising star like Hamzah Sheeraz, who defeated Edgar Berlanga recently. A win over Sheeraz and a face-off against the winner of the M’billi-Martinez rematch should help him regain lost ground and maybe claim a rematch with Crawford.

How A Loss To An Inactive Crawford Has Shattered Canelo Alvarez’s Legacy

Teddy Atlas says Canelo Alvarez’s legacy has been “dented” by his defeat against Terence Crawford last week. He states that the only way Canelo (63-3-2, 39 KOs) can continue his career is to “right the wrong” by avenging the defeat against Crawford, if possible.

Of course, the defeat hurts Alvarez’s legacy. Losing to an older, inactive fighter who started his career out at lightweight puts a big dent in Canelo’s popularity with fans. What makes it even more telling is that Crawford was coming off a lackluster performance 13 months prior against Israil Madrimov on August 3, 2024, in a fight that many fans felt he deserved to lose.

The combination of all those things suggests a couple of things: Canelo is a faded fighter: I believe Alvarez has been able to disguise his faded form in the last three years by fighting lower-tier contenders, Jaime Munguia, Edgar Berlanga, and John Ryder.

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Bud is just as beatable: The way Crawford fought against Canelo, he’d likely lose to many, if not all, of the top 168-lb contenders, including the fighters at 160 and 154. I don’t think Crawford could best Christian Mbilli, Osleys Iglesias, Lester Martinez, or Hamzah Sheeraz at 168. He’s too weak, small, and unable to stand his ground and fight. He would have to do that to beat those fighters.

A REMATCH NOT WORTH THE MONEY

Even if Canelo wanted to, would Turki Alalshikh be willing to finance a rematch? Financially, it would not be worth it due to the huge purses that Alvarez and Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) would likely expect to receive. Performance-wise, neither is worthy of the money they made last time.

You can’t say that Crawford turned in a $50 million performance last week, and Canelo was nowhere near the level of a fighter who was paid $150 million. Turki would be better off going in a different direction rather than wasting money on a second Canelo-Crawford fight that fails to live up to the hype.

Crawford’s “Sink or Swim” Future Fans would be more interested in seeing them move on if they fought fighters where they would be viewed as the underdogs.

Throw Crawford in a sink or swim situation against one of these fighters: David Benavidez Dmitry Bivol Christian Mbilli Artur Beterbiev Putting Crawford in with any of those three would be like feeding a pack of hungry wolves.

I picture a scenario where those guys would have their ears pinned back, attacking Crawford relentlessly, chasing him around the ring in likely one-sided fights. It would be the survival of the fittest. The weak are picked off by the strong.

There would be so much drama and excitement in those fights, with fans wondering whether Crawford would get it or not. New Challenges for an Underdog With Canelo, he’d likely be the underdog at this point, merely fighting Hamzah Sheeraz.

As bad as he looked against Crawford, I could see the oddsmakers making Sheeraz the favorite. Another option for Canelo would be to match him against the winner of the rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn. You can’t plug Canelo in with any of the top five contenders at 168 and expect him to come out of the fight with his hand raised in my estimation.

I think it wouldn’t end well for Alvarez if you matched him against the top guys, the ones for whatever reason, he’s chosen not to fight in recent years. “He lost to a guy [Terence Crawford] who won his first time at 135, and has been inactive. It does dent his legacy,” said podhost Teddy Atlas on his channel, talking about Canelo Alvarez’s loss to Terence Crawford a week ago.

The defeat exposed Canelo, putting a spotlight on him and his career. It strengthened the argument that some fans have that Alvarez was never as good as he was made out to be. He was a fighter who made controversial decisions in his fights against Gennadiy Golovkin (1 & 2) and Erislandy Lara.

Crawford did the minimum to earn his decision and was nowhere near as impressive as Lara and GGG were in their fights. The difference is that the set of judges gave Terence the decision, but not those fighters. “Does he want to right a wrong? Is he concerned about his legacy?” said Atlas, questioning whether Canelo will push for the rematch with Crawford.

“He drops down a notch from what we had him. The only reason for Canelo to continue is if he doesn’t want to go out this way. He looks to undo what was done in the Crawford fight.” It wouldn’t be the first time Canelo has chosen not to rematch an opponent. After he lost to these two fighters, he never fought them to avenge his defeats: Dmitry Bivol [May 2022] Floyd Mayweather Jr [September 2013]

WAS LARA MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN CRAWFORD?

Some fans would add Erislandy Lara to the list of fighters who beat Canelo from their controversial fight on July 12, 2014. The judges gave Canelo a 12-round split decision, but many people, including myself, believed Erislandy was the winner. A Hit-and-Run Fighting Style The way Lara performed in that fight was arguably superior to how Terence Crawford did in his 12-round unanimous decision over Canelo.

In my view, Lara looked more impressive outboxing a prime Canelo than Crawford, who mostly just ran around the ring, winning rounds by using a hit-and-run style. In contrast, Erislandy stood in front of Canelo, jabbing him repeatedly, blocking and ducking his return fire. The Cuban Lara showed no fear and didn’t resort to running from Alvarez, which further sets his performance apart from how Crawford fought. Those two fights show how subjective scoring can be.