Home / Sports / Canelo Alvarez: Facing Doubt and a New Era
Canelo Alvarez: Facing Doubt and a New Era
30 Oct
Summary
- Canelo faces scrutiny over his motivation and abilities as he ages.
- His career is analyzed in four distinct periods, with a potential fifth.
- Recent losses to Crawford and Bivol raise questions about his current form.
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, a modern boxing idol, is set to fight for the first time in over a year, facing scrutiny regarding his age and motivation. His career, meticulously crafted and often divided into four distinct phases, now stands at a potential turning point.
Alvarez began his journey as a prodigious talent from Jalisco, turning professional at 15. Under Golden Boy Promotions, he was expertly developed, though some fans perceived him as protected. His early career saw him claim a WBC title and overcome significant challenges, like Austin Trout, before facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013.
Following the Mayweather bout, Alvarez entered his 'catchweight king' phase. He dominated opponents like Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara, often at weights just above the super welterweight limit. A defining moment was his competitive, yet controversial, draw with Gennady Golovkin in 2017, followed by a win in their 2018 rematch.
His 'pound-for-pound king' era saw him become undisputed at 168 pounds, defeating champions Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, and Caleb Plant. He also notably challenged Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight, suffering a defeat.
The "Mayweather method" phase of his career involves lucrative fights. However, recent losses to Terence Crawford and Dmitry Bivol have fueled questions about his current prowess. Alvarez claims to feel revitalized after elbow surgery, and his performance against Christian Mbilli will be a key indicator of his future trajectory, potentially influencing a rematch with Crawford or a future bout with Bivol.
