Canelo Alvarez has spent countless hours working on every nook and cranny of his game. As a result, the time he’s dedicated to his craft away from the spotlight has allowed him to shine when he’s needed most.
With world titles in four separate weight classes, Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) proudly climbed up on the top turnbuckle at the tail end of 2021. In less than one full calendar year, Alvarez stripped every 168-pound titleholder of their championship status. When the dust ultimately cleared, the Mexican star was the last man standing.
Although the 32-year-old is firmly of the belief that he’s a complete fighter, he’s been known to put the pedal to the metal and look for fight-ending blows as his showdowns wind down. But while the pound-for-pound luminary’s power has proved to be devastating, fighters such as Dmitry Bivol have shown to have ironclad chins.
After proving that he’s the man to beat at 168 pounds, Alvarez temporarily moved away from the division as he attempted to regain a world title seven pounds north. Bivol, however, would hear none of it.
Now, fast forward one year later, and Alvarez is hopeful that his 2023 calendar will be more kind. To kick off his year, Alvarez will defend his undisputed throne against WBO interim titlist, John Ryder. As long as everything goes according to plan, Alvarez intends on moving back up to the light heavyweight division to challenge Bivol once more.
Things may not have gone the way he was initially expecting, but Alvarez is confident that things will be different this time around. While both Bivol and Ryder have shown to be incredibly durable throughout their careers, Alvarez is convinced that as long as his money shot connects, the lights of his opponents will undoubtedly be turned out.
“Yea, everybody,” said Alvarez to a group of reporters when asked if he could knock out anyone with the right shot. Everybody down for sure.”
In addition to both Ryder and Bivol, as of late, Alvarez’s name has been intrinsically linked to David Benavidez. The 26-year-old WBC interim holder has shouted from the mountain tops his desire to face his Mexican counterpart.
Ostensibly establishing himself as Alvarez’s biggest threat, Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) recently handed Caleb Plant just the second defeat of his career.
Often praised for his offensive ability, Benavidez’s chin has also been heralded as impressive. As the two continue to march toward one another in an inevitable collision course, Alvarez isn’t worrying himself with the monumental task that could soon be standing before him. Benavidez’s chin, in Alvarez’s view, is simply no different than anyone else’s. Meaning, the fighter recently nicknamed “The Mexican Monster”, can also be stopped dead in his tracks if Alvarez gets a clean look.
“You know the word everybody?” Said Alvarez while smiling when asked if he has enough power to KO Benavidez. “Everybody.”