Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez says his short-term goal is to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world as he strives for an enduring legacy in the sport.
The WBC and WBA ‘Super’ champion makes a pit stop on that journey when he meets mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on February 27.
Victory next weekend is expected to rubberstamp a May 8 unification bout against WBO title holder Billy Joe Saunders with IBF champion Caleb Plant the last remaining piece of the super-middleweight puzzle.
“It’s important for me and [trainer/manager] Eddy [Reynoso] because very few people have achieved becoming undisputed champions [in the four belt era],” said Canelo (54-1-2, 36 KOs). “And that’s a short-term goal for us. To win all the titles at 168 pounds.
“Obviously, no Mexican has ever done it. So that’s our short-term goal, to keep making history. And that’s what we want. Eddy and I have always wanted the best. And we want to keep making history.
“I think it’s important, not just for me, but for all fighters. To make history in boxing is very important, I think. It’s very important to me to leave behind a legacy in this sport. And that’s why we’re doing this. To keep making history and so, when people talk about boxing, they always remember me.”
Main image: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA.