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LAS VEGAS — Canelo Alvarez emerged from his rivalry with Gennadiy Golovkin all smiles, the unhealthy blood that brewed over the previous 5 years lastly put to relaxation.
A clear victory over GGG to retain his 168-pound undisputed championship on Saturday at T-Cellular Enviornment appeared to deliver Alvarez solace, if not the ache of an injured left hand he informed ESPN is “f—ed up from the Caleb Plant struggle.”
Which means the highly effective left hook was broken getting into his upset defeat to Dmitry Bivol in Could, when Alvarez tried to turn into a two-time champion at 175 kilos.
He returned to tremendous middleweight for a protection of his 4 belts in opposition to Golovkin, and now, boxing’s prime star should resolve which division to marketing campaign in. However first, Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) says he’ll relaxation slightly than pursue a December stay-busy struggle that was mentioned earlier this yr when he signed a two-fight cope with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
“I can not maintain a glass,” Alvarez stated within the ring after the struggle. “[Hand is] actually unhealthy. However I am a warrior.”
As soon as once more, Alvarez, 32, is a promotional and community free agent, and shall be free to chase the most important and greatest fights. His subsequent bout may come in opposition to Bivol in a rematch for the sunshine heavyweight title he did not win in Could. Bivol dealt with Alvarez, and the loss ate away at Alvarez throughout the summer time.
Bivol, a difficult boxer with a wonderful jab, will first defend his title in opposition to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on Nov. 5 in Abu Dhabi. If Bivol wins as anticipated, he is a number one choice for Alvarez’s subsequent struggle, which can seemingly happen subsequent Could.
“Everyone is aware of” I would like the rematch with Bivol, Alvarez stated, including that he’ll wait to “see what occurs” within the Russian’s struggle with Zurdo.
“I must relaxation my physique,” Alvarez stated. “I must relaxation my hand, my physique, however I’ll come again stronger. [Revenge vs. Bivol is] essential for my legacy, for my satisfaction, for my nation, for my household, for all the things. It is essential. I’ll beat him.”
Alvarez could be an underdog in a rematch. In addition to Bivol’s model, which seems to be a tough matchup for Alvarez, weight courses exist for a cause. Alvarez’s lone victory at 175 kilos got here in opposition to a light model of Sergey Kovalev in November 2019, a brutal Eleventh-round KO after Alvarez struggled at instances earlier within the struggle.
In opposition to Bivol, he gained three rounds at most and the dimensions distinction was actually an element. In spite of everything, Alvarez gained his first title at 154 kilos and has stated many instances he is most snug at 168.
At tremendous middleweight, the place he is the unquestioned ruler, a few enticing choices exist, each with PBC fighters. Foremost is a matchup with David Benavidez, a punishing volume-puncher who applies relentless strain and would take pleasure in a measurement — and youth — benefit over Alvarez.
Another choice is Jermall Charlo, who hasn’t competed since June 2021 and at present holds a title at 160 kilos. Charlo has expressed a willingness to fulfill Alvarez at 160.
No matter path Alvarez chooses, he can transfer ahead with the peace of thoughts that he is settled his feud with Golovkin. Now, he can deal with reclaiming the pound-for-pound throne he sat on earlier than the loss to Bivol. One of the best ways to try this, in fact, is to attain a clear-cut victory over him. The subsequent greatest method: a protection of his 4 168-pound titles in opposition to Benavidez.
As all the time, Alvarez may have his choose of fights because the face of boxing and the career-high paydays he can ship for his foes.
“I’ve gone by way of some very tough issues my life and the one factor you are able to do is to attempt to proceed and transfer ahead,” Alvarez stated. “I’ve gone by way of tough instances with my defeats and I’ve proven that defeats are nice. It allows you to come again and present humility.”
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