Via Jack Tiernan: Eddie Hearn has several backup options for Canelo Alvarez to fight at the Cinco de Mayo next May if he fails to knock out his No 1 target opponent, Dmitry Bivol, in a rematch.
According to Hearn, Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) told him he wanted revenge for his loss to WBA lightweight champion Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs).
But if by chance unified 175 lb champion Artur Beterbiev is free to face Bivol in early 2023, that will leave Canelo without a partner for his next bout in May.
Explore the plan B options for Canelo:
- Chris Eubank Jr
- Jaime Munguia
- John Ryder
- Jermall Charlo
- David Benavidez
Some fighters may not be available to fight Canelo next May, but Hearn should be able to get hold of at least one of them. Munguia would be an obvious candidate for Canelo to fight, and it would interest a lot of boxing fans.
Given Munguia’s improvement in his boxing skills, he could prove to be a tough opponent for Saul, and I don’t know if this is the right man for the Mexican star.
If Canelo breaks out as early as against Gennadiy Golovkin last September and Bivol last May, Munguia could beat him. It’s amazing how Canelo’s poor stamina helped him improve that area.
“The challenge for Saul is to find the fights that really motivate him, and for me, I think that’s international boxing,” Eddie Hearn told. DAZN Boxing Show when asked who Canelo Alvarez could fight next May if Dmitry Bivol is not available for him to face off in a rematch.
“I don’t want to just put random names there because people can say, ‘Oh, he can fight him.’ None of these have been discussed. Would it be Chris Eubank Jr or John Ryder if he beat Zach Parker? He will be a compulsory subject in London.
“Is it Jaime Munguia at Azteca in Mexico? The landscape is different and the challenges are different, but for now, his mind is focused on the challenge of Dmitry Bivol. That’s really all he’s thinking about at the moment.
“A lot of these gladiators, they don’t have to fight. It’s not like they’re just taking advantage of whatever opportunities may present themselves. The time was right, and Saul had to get out of bed in the morning. It must get him pumped.
“Right now, what is burning him and infusing him with the fire within is to avenge his defeat. It’s pretty clear. He is a winner. I’m sure there are other options with other promoters as well.
“Is that [Jermall] Charlo fighting? You’ve got Benavidez against Plant. That’s the kind of fight that Saul said to those people, ‘Let’s have those battles and let’s build into a great war.’ If Benavidez defeats Plant, it’s a big fight. Benavidez vs. Canelo it was a big fight.
“One thing I know about Sauul is that he will fight anyone. So those are the things that excite him, and that could come from being able to fight on the international stage. I do not know. We haven’t really gone into it yet, ‘I want to try and avenge the defeat against Dmitry Bivol,’ Hearn said of Canelo.
