Category: Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo

Canelo Alvarez has many compelling potential opponents going forward

Canelo Alvarez has many compelling potential opponents going forward after his dominating victory over Jermell Charlo on Saturday.

Canelo Alvarez didn’t want to talk about his future immediately after his one-sided victory over Jermell Charlo on Saturday night in Las Vegas. He was enjoying the present too much.

The super middleweight champion had just demonstrated with his dominating performance that those convinced he’s in decline had gotten it wrong when he was asked multiple times who he might fight next.

He wouldn’t divulge much, saying at the post-fight news conference that he’d discuss it with his handlers and make a decision when he’s ready.

However, we can speculate. Below are six potential opponents for now or the near future. Note: All five have perfect records.

DAVID BENAVIDEZ (27-0, 23 KOs)

Many fans want to see Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) defend his titles against his most-compelling potential opponent at 168 pounds, the strapping former two-time titleholder. Benavidez’s name was mentioned when Alvarez was interviewed in the ring.

“I don’t know. I don’t f—ing care,” he responded, his way of saying that no one can take down this version of him.

Alvarez has never expressed great interest in facing Benavidez but he obviously is aware that fans desperately want to see the fight. We’ll see whether Alvarez comes around.

TERENCE CRAWFORD (40-0, 31 KOs)

Alvarez was asked about the 147-pound champion and pound-for-pound king, who recently delivered a career-defining knockout of Errol Spence Jr.

The matchup makes sense in terms of star power; it would do big pay-per-view numbers. However, Crawford would have to move up three divisions for the fight, which wouldn’t be prudent on his part.

Alvarez dismissed that possibility.

“You know, I know I always say if a fight makes sense, why not? But he’s not in our plan,” Alvarez said.

DMITRY BIVOL (21-0, 11 KOs)

Alvarez said recently that he should never have challenged the 175-pound champion when he did (in May of last year) because he wasn’t healthy. His injured left wrist had yet to be surgically repaired.

He would love another crack at the Russian to get things right. And he undoubtedly is more confident than ever that he could turn the tables after his performance on Saturday.

Bivol’s name didn’t come up after his victory over Charlo but you can bet he’s on Alvarez’s mind.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (32-0, 19 KOs)

Alvarez seems to take great pride in proving that those who doubt his skillset are wrong.

That skillset would be put to the test against the slick, awkward, left-handed Andrade, who no one has been eager to face. The challenge might just be attractive to the proud Alvarez, however.

God knows that Andrade, a former two-division titleholder who recently moved up to 168, deserves a big fight after all his success.

DAVIS MORRELL (9-0, 8 KOs)

Morrell might not have the name recognition to attract Alvarez but he’s a compelling potential opponent.

The 25-year-old Cuban defector, a southpaw, was an amateur star and has blown through his nine opponents as a professional. He doesn’t have experience in big fight but the all-around ability is there.

Plus, he’s the top contender in the WBA rankings.

JERMALL CHARLO (32-0, 22 KOs)

Alvarez was expected to fight the bigger of the Charlo twins on Saturday. However, Jermall, a middleweight titleholder, was unavailable because he’s dealing with mental health issues.

It’s difficult to imagine him jumping into a fight with Alvarez immediately – after all, Charlo hasn’t fought since June of 2021 – but it might be a compelling matchup after Charlo gets a tune-up fight under his belt.

Obviously, the matchup also would have an interesting background story after Alvarez’s dominating victory over Jermall’s brother. And moving up only one division makes is a lot easier than moving up two.

[lawrence-related id=39227,39198,39194]

Canelo Alvarez has many compelling potential opponents going forward

Canelo Alvarez has many compelling potential opponents going forward after his dominating victory over Jermell Charlo on Saturday.

Canelo Alvarez didn’t want to talk about his future immediately after his one-sided victory over Jermell Charlo on Saturday night in Las Vegas. He was enjoying the present too much.

The super middleweight champion had just demonstrated with his dominating performance that those convinced he’s in decline had gotten it wrong when he was asked multiple times who he might fight next.

He wouldn’t divulge much, saying at the post-fight news conference that he’d discuss it with his handlers and make a decision when he’s ready.

However, we can speculate. Below are six potential opponents for now or the near future. Note: All five have perfect records.

DAVID BENAVIDEZ (27-0, 23 KOs)

Many fans want to see Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) defend his titles against his most-compelling potential opponent at 168 pounds, the strapping former two-time titleholder. Benavidez’s name was mentioned when Alvarez was interviewed in the ring.

“I don’t know. I don’t f—ing care,” he responded, his way of saying that no one can take down this version of him.

Alvarez has never expressed great interest in facing Benavidez but he obviously is aware that fans desperately want to see the fight. We’ll see whether Alvarez comes around.

TERENCE CRAWFORD (40-0, 31 KOs)

Alvarez was asked about the 147-pound champion and pound-for-pound king, who recently delivered a career-defining knockout of Errol Spence Jr.

The matchup makes sense in terms of star power; it would do big pay-per-view numbers. However, Crawford would have to move up three divisions for the fight, which wouldn’t be prudent on his part.

Alvarez dismissed that possibility.

“You know, I know I always say if a fight makes sense, why not? But he’s not in our plan,” Alvarez said.

DMITRY BIVOL (21-0, 11 KOs)

Alvarez said recently that he should never have challenged the 175-pound champion when he did (in May of last year) because he wasn’t healthy. His injured left wrist had yet to be surgically repaired.

He would love another crack at the Russian to get things right. And he undoubtedly is more confident than ever that he could turn the tables after his performance on Saturday.

Bivol’s name didn’t come up after his victory over Charlo but you can bet he’s on Alvarez’s mind.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (32-0, 19 KOs)

Alvarez seems to take great pride in proving that those who doubt his skillset are wrong.

That skillset would be put to the test against the slick, awkward, left-handed Andrade, who no one has been eager to face. The challenge might just be attractive to the proud Alvarez, however.

God knows that Andrade, a former two-division titleholder who recently moved up to 168, deserves a big fight after all his success.

DAVIS MORRELL (9-0, 8 KOs)

Morrell might not have the name recognition to attract Alvarez but he’s a compelling potential opponent.

The 25-year-old Cuban defector, a southpaw, was an amateur star and has blown through his nine opponents as a professional. He doesn’t have experience in big fight but the all-around ability is there.

Plus, he’s the top contender in the WBA rankings.

JERMALL CHARLO (32-0, 22 KOs)

Alvarez was expected to fight the bigger of the Charlo twins on Saturday. However, Jermall, a middleweight titleholder, was unavailable because he’s dealing with mental health issues.

It’s difficult to imagine him jumping into a fight with Alvarez immediately – after all, Charlo hasn’t fought since June of 2021 – but it might be a compelling matchup after Charlo gets a tune-up fight under his belt.

Obviously, the matchup also would have an interesting background story after Alvarez’s dominating victory over Jermall’s brother. And moving up only one division makes is a lot easier than moving up two.

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Watch it: Canelo Alvarez hasn’t been this happy after a fight in years

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez hasn’t been this happy after a fight in years.

Canelo Alvarez couldn’t have been more animated after his one-sided decision over Jermell Charlo on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The super middleweight champ answered some questions in the ring after the victory. The theme of the interview: Don’t mess with this version of Alvarez.

[lawrence-related id=39198,39194,39162,39164]

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez hasn’t been this happy after a fight in years

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez hasn’t been this happy after a fight in years.

Canelo Alvarez couldn’t have been more animated after his one-sided decision over Jermell Charlo on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The super middleweight champ answered some questions in the ring after the victory. The theme of the interview: Don’t mess with this version of Alvarez.

[lawrence-related id=39198,39194,39162,39164]

Photos: Canelo Alvarez’s dominating victory over Jermell Charlo

Photos: Canelo Alvarez’s unanimous decision victory over Jermell Charlo.

Super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez defeated overmatched Jermell Charlo by a one-sided decision to retain his titles Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas..

The official scores were 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109. Boxing Junkie also scored it 118-109 for Alvarez, 10 rounds to two.

Here are images from the event. All photos by Sarah Stier and Ethan Miller of Getty Images.

Canelo Alvarez delivers vintage performance, easily outpoints Jermell Charlo

Canelo Alvarez delivered a vintage performance, easily outpointing Jermell Charlo to retain his titles Saturday in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez looked a lot like Canelo Alvarez.

The undisputed 168-pound champion, who many suggested was in decline after three consecutive subpar performances, turned back the clock by dominating Jermell Charlo from start to finish to win a one-sided decision Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The official scores were 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109. Boxing Junkie also scored it 118-109 for Alvarez, 10 rounds to two.

What a difference good health makes.

“I’m a strong fighter,” said Alvarez, who blamed his struggles on an injured left wrist that is now healed, “all the time, with all the fighters. I’m a strong man. This Canelo, nobody can beat this Canelo.”

Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) was knocked from his pound-for-pound perch by 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol, who outpointed him in May of last year. Then he gave so-so performances in victories over Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder.

That’s why many opined that 18 years as a professional were beginning to catch up with him. His response to that? Wait and see what he could do injury free.

We saw on Saturday.

Alvarez applied overwhelming pressure on the highly respected Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) from the second round on, landing more than enough punishing blows to the head and body to win rounds and prevent Charlo from mounting an attack of his own.

Charlo, the undisputed 154-pound champ who moved up two divisions for the fight, tried to move and pepper Alvarez with quick, sometimes hard blows to keep him at bay but he had neither the punch volume nor the power to earn the stronger man’s respect.

Alvarez put Charlo down in Round 7, when a straight right dazed the challenger and forced him to take a knee.

Charlo survived that punch and proved to be both durable and clever enough to last the entire 12 rounds against a bigger, stronger man, which many believed would be difficult.

The challenger, an excellent technician, was adept at avoiding clean punches to the head, aside from a handful of them. And he took everything Alvarez managed to land, including 42 hard shots to the body, according to CompuBox.

Alvarez was asked about his body work. His response made it clear that he’s as passionate about the sport as he has ever been, an indication that he has now put his struggles behind him.

“I worked on that in the gym for three months in the mountains without my family, without my friends,” he said. “I still love boxing. I still love boxing. I still love boxing so f—ing much. Boxing is my life.

“Boxing made me the person I am today. That’s why I love it so much.”

And what about his failure to stop Charlo? Not an issue.

“No no no,” he said. “I feel great. That’s why we fight 12 rounds. If I don’t get the knockout, I get 12 rounds to show I’m the best, I’m the better fighter.”

Alvarez, 33, can now look forward to his next challenge with all the confidence he had when he climbed to the pinnacle of the sport.

He was asked whether he expected to fight next on Cinco de Mayo weekend, which has become his tradition. He seemed to indicate that that is the plan. Then he was asked who he’d like to fight, which sparked his passion again.

“We’ll see who’s next,” he said.

“David Benavidez?” he was asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t f—ing care,” he responded, his way of reiterating that no one can take down this version of him.

Charlo?

The proud Texan obviously wasn’t pleased afterward but he also wasn’t despondent.

“I just felt like it wasn’t me in there,” he said. “I don’t make excuses for myself. So it is what it is. I take my punches and roll with it. This is boxing. Hey, you win some, you lose some. … Truthfully you can feel the difference in the weight. I jumped up 14 pounds.

“I’m undisputed in my division. I was daring to be great right now. You fall short sometimes. You have just keep pushing. My road don’t stop right here.”

Indeed, it doesn’t. He said he plans on moving back down to 154, at which he expects to face the winner of the Oct. 14 Tim Tszyu-Brian Mendoza fight in defense of his titles. He also said he’d like to pick on a smaller man for a change.

“I want to fight [welterweight champ] Terence Crawford,” he said. “I could fight Terence Crawford in my weight division. I know he’s somewhere around this joint. Let him fight Errol Spence or whatever they got going. Get that out of the way.

“I’m waiting. I’m about to get right back into the gym.”

Win, lose, big things lie ahead.

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Canelo Alvarez delivers vintage performance, easily outpoints Jermell Charlo

Canelo Alvarez delivered a vintage performance, easily outpointing Jermell Charlo to retain his titles Saturday in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez looked a lot like Canelo Alvarez.

The undisputed 168-pound champion, who many suggested was in decline after three consecutive subpar performances, turned back the clock by dominating Jermell Charlo from start to finish to win a one-sided decision Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The official scores were 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109. Boxing Junkie also scored it 118-109 for Alvarez, 10 rounds to two.

What a difference good health makes.

“I’m a strong fighter,” said Alvarez, who blamed his struggles on an injured left wrist that is now healed, “all the time, with all the fighters. I’m a strong man. This Canelo, nobody can beat this Canelo.”

Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) was knocked from his pound-for-pound perch by 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol, who outpointed him in May of last year. Then he gave so-so performances in victories over Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder.

That’s why many opined that 18 years as a professional were beginning to catch up with him. His response to that? Wait and see what he could do injury free.

We saw on Saturday.

Alvarez applied overwhelming pressure on the highly respected Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) from the second round on, landing more than enough punishing blows to the head and body to win rounds and prevent Charlo from mounting an attack of his own.

Charlo, the undisputed 154-pound champ who moved up two divisions for the fight, tried to move and pepper Alvarez with quick, sometimes hard blows to keep him at bay but he had neither the punch volume nor the power to earn the stronger man’s respect.

Alvarez put Charlo down in Round 7, when a straight right dazed the challenger and forced him to take a knee.

Charlo survived that punch and proved to be both durable and clever enough to last the entire 12 rounds against a bigger, stronger man, which many believed would be difficult.

The challenger, an excellent technician, was adept at avoiding clean punches to the head, aside from a handful of them. And he took everything Alvarez managed to land, including 42 hard shots to the body, according to CompuBox.

Alvarez was asked about his body work. His response made it clear that he’s as passionate about the sport as he has ever been, an indication that he has now put his struggles behind him.

“I worked on that in the gym for three months in the mountains without my family, without my friends,” he said. “I still love boxing. I still love boxing. I still love boxing so f—ing much. Boxing is my life.

“Boxing made me the person I am today. That’s why I love it so much.”

And what about his failure to stop Charlo? Not an issue.

“No no no,” he said. “I feel great. That’s why we fight 12 rounds. If I don’t get the knockout, I get 12 rounds to show I’m the best, I’m the better fighter.”

Alvarez, 33, can now look forward to his next challenge with all the confidence he had when he climbed to the pinnacle of the sport.

He was asked whether he expected to fight next on Cinco de Mayo weekend, which has become his tradition. He seemed to indicate that that is the plan. Then he was asked who he’d like to fight, which sparked his passion again.

“We’ll see who’s next,” he said.

“David Benavidez?” he was asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t f—ing care,” he responded, his way of reiterating that no one can take down this version of him.

Charlo?

The proud Texan obviously wasn’t pleased afterward but he also wasn’t despondent.

“I just felt like it wasn’t me in there,” he said. “I don’t make excuses for myself. So it is what it is. I take my punches and roll with it. This is boxing. Hey, you win some, you lose some. … Truthfully you can feel the difference in the weight. I jumped up 14 pounds.

“I’m undisputed in my division. I was daring to be great right now. You fall short sometimes. You have just keep pushing. My road don’t stop right here.”

Indeed, it doesn’t. He said he plans on moving back down to 154, at which he expects to face the winner of the Oct. 14 Tim Tszyu-Brian Mendoza fight in defense of his titles. He also said he’d like to pick on a smaller man for a change.

“I want to fight [welterweight champ] Terence Crawford,” he said. “I could fight Terence Crawford in my weight division. I know he’s somewhere around this joint. Let him fight Errol Spence or whatever they got going. Get that out of the way.

“I’m waiting. I’m about to get right back into the gym.”

Win, lose, big things lie ahead.

[lawrence-related id=39162,39164]

Erickson Lubin defeats Jesus Ramos by controversial unanimous decision

Erickson Lubin defeated Jesus Ramos by a controversial unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday.

This one won’t sit well with a lot of fans.

Jesus Ramos seemed to control most of his fight against fellow 154-pound contender Erickson Lubin yet lost a unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The official scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Boxing Junkie had it 116-112 for Ramos, eight rounds to four.

Ramos (20-1, 16 KOs) dominated the first two thirds of the fight against his relatively passive opponent, most conspicuously landing hard, eye catching punches to the body consistently.

However, Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs), who had done little more than jab, picked up his pace beginning in Round 9 and began landing combinations as his opponent slowed down and the crowd began to boo.

That activity evidently allowed the Floridian to overtake his 22-year-old foe and win the fight.

The victory was significant for Lubin, who was trying to rebuild his reputation after he was stopped by Sebastian Fundora in April of last year, his second knockout loss.

The 28-year-old has rebounded by winning back-to-back fights, a fifth-round knockout of Luis Arias in June and now a decision over the previously unbeaten fighter from Arizona.

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Erickson Lubin defeats Jesus Ramos by controversial unanimous decision

Erickson Lubin defeated Jesus Ramos by a controversial unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday.

This one won’t sit well with a lot of fans.

Jesus Ramos seemed to control most of his fight against fellow 154-pound contender Erickson Lubin yet lost a unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The official scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Boxing Junkie had it 116-112 for Ramos, eight rounds to four.

Ramos (20-1, 16 KOs) dominated the first two thirds of the fight against his relatively passive opponent, most conspicuously landing hard, eye catching punches to the body consistently.

However, Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs), who had done little more than jab, picked up his pace beginning in Round 9 and began landing combinations as his opponent slowed down and the crowd began to boo.

That activity evidently allowed the Floridian to overtake his 22-year-old foe and win the fight.

The victory was significant for Lubin, who was trying to rebuild his reputation after he was stopped by Sebastian Fundora in April of last year, his second knockout loss.

The 28-year-old has rebounded by winning back-to-back fights, a fifth-round knockout of Luis Arias in June and now a decision over the previously unbeaten fighter from Arizona.

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Mario Barrios drops Yordenis Ugas twice, wins one-sided decision

Mario Barrios dropped fellow 147-pound contender Yordenis Ugas twice and defeated him by a one-sided unanimous decision Saturday.

Mario Barrios finally got his big victory.

The 28-year-old from San Antonio, who came up short against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman in back-to-back fights in 2021 and last year, defeated former champ Yordenis Ugas by a unanimous decision in a 12-round bout between welterweight contenders on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday in Las Vegas.

The official scores were 118-107, 118-107 and 117-108. Boxing Junkie also scored it 117-108 for Barrios, nine rounds to three

Barrios (28-2, 18 KOs) put Ugas (27-6, 12 KOs) down twice, once with a jab in Round 2 and again with a left in Round 12. However, it was his technical ability – particularly his left jab – that earned him the victory.

The Texan outboxed and outworked the 37-year-old Ugas, who was competitive and had some good moments but couldn’t keep pace with his younger opponent.

The jab also closed Ugas’ right eye, the same eye that Errol Spence Jr. damaged in April of last year. The injury evidently hampered the Cuban down the stretch, when Barrios seemed to pull away on the cards.

The ring doctor checked the eye three times but ultimately allowed Ugas to finish the fight, which the brave former champion was determined to do.

Ugas, apparently exhausted, was docked a point for intentionally spitting out his mouth piece in the final round.

Barrios has now won back-to-back fights since the Thurman fight, which was his debut as a full-fledged 147-pounder. He knocked out Jovanie Santiago in eight rounds in February.

Ugas has lost his last two fights, a 10th-round knockout against Spence and now a one-sided decision to Barrios 17 months later. It will be difficult for him to climb back into title contention at his age and with the recurring eye problem.