In the dynamic world of professional boxing, the future matchups for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez are generating significant buzz. Following his recent agreement with Riyadh Season and Sheikh Turki Al-Sheikh, the Mexican champion has secured a series of fights over the next two years. The most intriguing possibility is a potential bout with David Benavidez, who has been vocal about challenging Alvarez for the 168-pound title. Meanwhile, Alvarez’s upcoming fight against William Scull in Saudi Arabia on May 3 looms large as he aims to reclaim the IBF belt. Speculation also surrounds other potential opponents like Terence Crawford and Dmitry Bivol.
Alvarez's Path Ahead: From Saudi Arabia to Las Vegas
In the vibrant landscape of professional boxing, the spotlight has turned towards Canelo Alvarez and his upcoming engagements. Just over a week ago, David Benavidez emerged victorious over David Morrell, reigniting discussions about a potential showdown with Alvarez. Benavidez, known for his relentless pursuit of top-tier competition, called upon the WBC and WBO super middleweight champion to accept a match that would benefit the sport. However, Alvarez's immediate plans have taken a different turn.
On Thursday, it was announced that Alvarez had signed a two-year contract with Turki Al-Sheikh and Riyadh Season of Saudi Arabia, securing four bouts, three of which will take place in the Arab country. Initially, there were talks of a pre-agreement with Jake Paul for a fight in Las Vegas on May 3. However, these plans fell through, and it was confirmed that Alvarez would instead face William Scull on the same date but in Saudi Arabia. In this encounter, Alvarez aims to regain the IBF belt, which he lost in September for not facing Scull when he opted for Edgar Berlanga.
Following his anticipated victory over Scull, Alvarez's next fight is expected to be in Las Vegas on September 13, where he might face Terence Crawford. Looking further ahead, the possibility of a rematch with Dmitry Bivol or a bout with Chris Eubank Jr. remains open. Yet, an interesting twist comes from Turki Al-Sheikh, who expressed hope in convincing Alvarez to fight Benavidez. Al-Sheikh, the president of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, believes that while Crawford presents a formidable challenge, Benavidez is also a great boxer who could make for an exciting matchup.
“Crawford is a different fighter. Benavidez is a great boxer, of course, but with Crawford you’re talking about 41 fights and a champion in three weight divisions. It’s different, now he’s going up more than two categories to fight Canelo,” Al-Sheikh remarked to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger.
From a journalist's perspective, the evolving landscape of Alvarez's career underscores the ever-changing dynamics of boxing. The involvement of Saudi Arabia adds a new dimension to the sport, offering both financial incentives and international exposure. For fans, this period of uncertainty and anticipation only heightens the excitement surrounding each potential matchup. The coming months will undoubtedly bring clarity and, hopefully, some thrilling fights.