Undisputed world super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 57-1-2 (39) is looking to return in May following his historic win over previously undefeated American Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 21-1 (12) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 31-year-old Mexican superstar entered the ring as the WBC, WBA and WBO champion and left 11 rounds later with Plant’s IBF belt.
The fight was competitive in the first half before Alvarez pulled away, slowing down Nahsville’s Plant, 29, with body shots and dropping him twice in the penultimate round to earn the stoppage victory at the 1:05 mark.
Alvarez dropped back down to 168-pounds last December following his light heavyweight win over WBO titleholder Sergey Kovalev 34-4-1 (29) in November 2019.
His route to becoming the first ever undisputed super middleweight champion has included wins over Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders, fighting four times in the past 11 months.
The big question now is who Alvarez will face next. WBC number one contender David Benavidez 24 (21) is one option, while the WBA’s recent push to eliminate secondary titles could see him face talented Cuban southpaw David Morrell 5-0 (4).
The IBF’s leading contender Zach Parker 22-0 (16) looked sharp in dispatching Marcus Morrison 24-5 (16) in four rounds in Birmingham, England on Saturday night.
Old rival Gennadiy Golovkin 41-1-1 (36) has long coveted a third fight against Alvarez after going 0-1-1, while WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo 32-0 (22) might consider moving up to test himself.
“I have nothing in particular in mind right now, but I love challenges,” Alvarez said post-fight. “And whatever comes my way, I’ll be ready for it. I’m ready for any challenge any time, but we’ll see what comes next year.
“I really don’t have a time set for sitting down with my team and thinking about it. Right now, I’m just enjoying the moment.”
If a big fight cannot be made at 168-pounds, a return to the 175-pound division could be on the cards. There has been talk in the past of Alvarez challenging WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol 18-0 (11) or possibly hard-hitting WBC and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev 16-0 (16).
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said he would welcome a Beterviev-Alvarez bout.
“Yes,” Sulaiman affirmed to Sky Sports. “Beterbiev makes a mandatory defense in December and will be open to do anything he wants to do. It would be a tremendous match,”
“Beterbiev is undefeated, he is a heavy, heavy puncher. He would be a very strong threat to Canelo’s legacy. But Canelo wants to keep going further and further so let’s see.”
Meanwhile, Plant has vowed to rebound from his first professional loss.
“I’ve bent most the world to my will and done it with nothing but passion and skill,” Plant said. “I’ll be back. I showed I belong on the top level and I’ll be champion of the world again.
“I’ve never been scared to go big or go out on my shield. Thank you to all the fans and all my supporters.”
