Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KOs) had a sensational performance against Rocky Fielding (27-2, 15 KOs). There’s no need to sugarcoat this. Fielding just got beat up in there. It was not a competitive bout by any means.
Canelo dominated the much bigger Fielding who seemed to be a deer in headlights. Canelo looked like a dominant boxer and that’s mostly because he is exactly that.
However, Fielding put up a dismal performance in there. He lacked resistance and looked as though he was putting on boxing gloves for very first time.
Enough about Rocky and his horrendous performance, let’s focus on Canelo. With the win last night he became just the third born Mexican fighter to hold a belt in at least three separate weight divisions.
It’s quite the accomplishment. Canelo will enjoy this victory, but over here at Round By Round Boxing we tend to look at what’s ahead.
To say Canelo will have plenty of options is an understatement. Although he stated that he will campaign at Middleweight, his promoter Oscar De La Hoya already came out and said that he believes Canelo can fight at both weights.
That can lead to a ton of interesting matchups. Let’s take a look at which ones are the most compelling for Canelo at either weight.
Daniel Jacobs
Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
Current IBF Middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) just had a big fight of his own when he defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko for the vacant IBF crown in October. A matchup against Canelo Alvarez is something Jacobs has been clamoring for.
Since Jacobs’ loss to GGG he has gone on to defeat three straight undefeated fighters and has looked impressive in doing so. He has now established himself as easily a top five Middleweight and very possibly even a top three one.
Following Canelo’s victory, Jacobs entered the ring and congratulated him. There was no call out or confrontation, Jacobs just wanted his presence to be felt. It’s a matchup that not only Jacobs wants but the fans want as well.
Callum Smith
World Boxing Super Series
Callum Smith (25-0, 18 KOs) has the right to call himself the best Super Middleweight in the world right now. Sure, Canelo Alvarez stopped Rocky Fielding in three rounds, but it took Callum just one to do the very same thing. Smith also just dominated and won the World Boxing Super Series.
A bout against Canelo would be the toughest of his career by far. If they did face each other, Smith would have many favorable advantages over Canelo including his height and reach.
Many would venture to say that he also punches harder then Canelo, but during his post fight-press conference, Fielding put an end to that notion stating that Canelo has the power to hang with anyone at Super Middleweight.
Let’s be clear, Callum Smith is no Rocky Fielding. It would be an extremely hard fight for Canelo. However if you think Alvarez will back down because it is a difficult challenge–you are sadly mistaken.
Jermall Charlo
Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
The undefeated Jermall Charlo is considered a major threat in the Middleweight division. He’s big, strong and unbeaten. Charlo was the IBF Junior Middleweight champion before making the move up in weight to the Middleweight division last year.
He is currently the mandatory challenger for Canelo’s WBC title. He is the wild card in the division. The size and skill are there, but he is still untested. Charlo tells anyone that will listen that he is indeed better than Canelo Alvarez in every aspect. There’s only one way to find out.
Feel like I left someone off the list? Comment below with who you want to see Canelo in the ring with next.
