Canelo Alvarez announces he'll fight American on May 4, but who?
Who is Canelo Alvarez going to fight on May 4? You can keep guessing, although now you have a clue.
Alvarez confirmed Tuesday on TV Azteca that he will return to the ring on Cinco de Mayo weekend, when he has typically fought. He didn’t reveal his opponent, saying only that he will be fighting an American.
That could mean that he’ll defend his undisputed 168-pound championship against 160-pound beltholder Jermall Charlo, who reportedly has been the leading candidate for some time.
It could also mean that 168-pound contender David Benavidez — the opponent most fans seem to be backing — or 147-pound champ Terence Crawford remain in the running to win boxing’s version of the lottery, although they appear to be longshots.
Alvarez hasn’t shown much interest in facing Benavidez, who many believe is his most significant threat in the division. And it seems unlikely that Crawford, who is No. 1 pound-for-pound, will move up three divisions to face one of the best fighters of the era.
Jermell Charlo, Jermall’s twin brother, jumped two divisions to face Alvarez and was overmatched in a unanimous-decision loss in September.
Alvarez and all three of the aforementioned potential opponents work with the managerial company Premier Boxing Champions, which limits obstacles in negotiations.
Alvarez’s comments also evidently mean that fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia, another top 168-pound contender, is out as a potential opponent for now.
Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) returned from a 2½-year layoff on Nov. 25, when he defeated Jose Benavidez Jr. by a one-sided decision in Las Vegas.