Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has laid down his intentions for 2023 after a disappointing 2022 where he added a second loss to his record, subsequently ending an unbeaten run of almost nine years.
Whilst the Mexican says he would love to avenge that defeat to Dmitry Bivol, he admitted that he may need another fight as preparation first.
Canelo’s loss to Bivol seems to be ageing like a fine wine, as the WBA light-heavyweight champion followed up that victory with a comfortable win over another Mexican challenger in Zurdo Ramirez.
Many fans have the Russian down as the fighter of the year, so a rematch between him and Canelo – possibly for the super-middleweight undisputed crown – seems like one of the must-make fights for next year.
Despite a clear eagerness for vengeance and a confirmed focus on the rematch, an injury on his left wrist has convinced the four-weight world champion that he should be patient before attempting to right his wrong, as per ESPN.
“My plan right now is to return in May. I’m going to start training in January and see how I feel after that,”
“The idea is to return in May with a tune-up fight to see how I feel and then get the rematch against Bivol in September,”
“That’s the only thing I want for my career right now.”
Although fans will have to wait for Canelo-Bivol II, the news from Alvarez is positive as a May return is far sooner than many anticipated when it was announced that he would be undergoing surgery.
The 58-2-2 legend has fought on six of the last eight Cinco De Mayo festivals, consistently putting on a show for his native Mexico, and it is safe to assume that he is eyeing up another next year.
A potential opponent would be the winner of David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant, who fight in January, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger for Alvarez’s WBC title – however not many would call this a ‘tune-up’ depending on the outcome.
Alternatively, British fans will be hoping Canelo may fight the winner of John Ryder vs Zach Parker, who battle it out for the WBO interim belt on November 26th.