Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is ready to take on one of the biggest fights of his career when he faces Terence Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. There are those who believe that “now the Mexican will have a real opponent”.
Although there are those who believe that the Guadalajara native has ample advantages once that his opponent is not a super middleweight rival and will have to move up in weight to reach 168 pounds
Although the fight has caught the attention of the mainstream media, some purists are skeptical. They believe that jumping two divisions is simply too much for Crawford. It is also claimed that Canelo is dodging real challenges to accept prize fights.
After all, this is professional boxing, so there is no point in blaming Canelo. One promoter has claimed that there is only one real challenge for Canelo at super middleweight and it is who can beat and knock Canelo Alvarez to the canvas.
Canelo Alvarez’s future executioner has a name
This is Christian Mbilli. The Frenchman has a record of 29-0-0 with 24 stellar knockouts and recently defeated Maciej Sulecki in the first round and is the new WBC interim super middleweight champion, and the 30-year-old’s promoter, Camille Estephan, said after the fight: “There is only one clear and true mandatory challenger for Canelo, and that is this guy. His performance is impressive. It speaks for itself. He always gives his best.”
Canelo Alvarez has fought the best in the 168-pound division and is a two-time undisputed champion. However, fans often claim that Canelo strategically avoided David Benavidez. Bob Arum believes that Canelo will also avoid Mbilli, as he recently stated:
From this point on, Canelo has nothing to gain. If he gets past Crawford, he will look for relatively easy fights and keep a low profile to stay on top. If Canelo beats Crawford, which I don’t think he will, he will look for some easy touches
said the famous boxing promoter.
Canelo’s future plans according to Bob Arum
Arum and Mbilli’s team are confident in their strategy. The narrative that Canelo is avoiding fighting could be a way to get the Mexican’s attention and face Christian Mbilli on the rise. But for the promoter, Canelo’s idea is clear: “He will finish his contract with Riyadh Season, make his money and retire. He doesn’t want to take any risks. I think Mbilli would beat Canelo, just as David Benavidez would. But that’s the way Canelo is and that’s the way it will be. He will run away from the big fights.”
For now, Canelo is focused on Terence Crawford. He is undefeated in the super middleweight division and is looking to continue his streak against ‘Bud’. It is worth noting that Canelo Alvarez only fights twice a year, in May and September during Mexican festivities, so there are few possible windows for the Mexican to accept a fight against a boxer who can take the crown and even send him to the canvas for the first time.
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