With 2024 now fully underway, fans have been left questioning who Canelo Alvarez will face, with a report now suggesting who his next two opponents will be.
The world of boxing has been clamouring for the undisputed champion to face David Benavidez, but it appears that the pound-for-pound star has got other plans.
Benavidez holds the position as the WBC interim champion, making him a mandatory challenger for Alvarez’s throne at 168lbs but so far his drawn-out chase for a shot at Canelo has been unsuccessful.
‘The Mexican Monster’ even went as far as to directly target Canelo’s planned opponents to hijack his schedule and enforce the fight, announcing his intentions to face Jermall Charlo after rumours that Canelo would face Jaime Munguia in May and Charlo in September.
However, it now seems that Benavidez will not get the chance to intervene, with ESPN reporting that Alvarez will fight Jermall Charlo in May, eight months after he defeated his brother, Jermell.
Then in September, Canelo is expected to go toe-to-toe with arguable pound-for-pound number one Terence Crawford, who would be jumping up an astonishing three weight-divisions for the bout.
Por cierto, todo luce que sería Charlo-Crawford para Canelo en este 2024, en ese orden.
— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) January 29, 2024
“By the way, everything looks like it would be Charlo-Crawford for Canelo in 2024, in that order.”
Canelo has previously announced his refusal to fight his fellow Mexicans, which rules out contests with both Benavidez and Munguia to the disappointment of fans.
Although one fair alternative could be that Canelo vacates the WBC title, in order to allow Benavidez to become the new champion or at least fight for the belt.
Meanwhile, fans are also keen on a clash between Benavidez and David Morrell, who is considered to be the other outstanding threat to the division, in a showdown between two power-punchers which would be unlikely to hear the final bell.