Canelo Alvarez will have several options for his next fight after retaining his undisputed 168lb title with a trilogy win over Gennady Golovkin.
The Mexican star settled his long-term rivalry with Golovkin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and retained his four belts with a comfortable points victory. Alvarez returned to winning ways after being defeated by Russian star Dmitry Bivol, but he could look for a second meeting providing the Russian gets beyond his mandatory challenger in Gilberto Ramirez.
Alvarez could be out of action until September next year after revealing he will likely require surgery on a hand injury. However there will likely be further options at both 168lb and 175lb on the table should he continue to ply his trade where he has had huge success in recent months.
Here we assess five potential opponents Alvarez could face when he is able to return next year...
1. Dmitry Bivol rematch
The most likely option upon Alvarez's return would be a rematch with Bivol, who handed the Mexican star his second career defeat when he made the leap to 175lb in May. The Russian champion delivered a masterclass against Alvarez who was unable to land anything of note at the higher weight, despite showing so much promise in a previous KO victory over Sergey Kovalev.
Alvarez wanted to take an immediate rematch with Bivol once he had been defeated, but was contracted to first touch gloves with Golovkin. The WBA world champion will first defend his title against Ramirez this November 5 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with a win likely to set up a clash against either Alvarez or Joshua Buatsi.
Many fans have suggested they would now prefer to see Alvarez stay away from the division, but the Mexican is keen to earn his redemption and potentially set up a clash with Artur Beterbiev.
2. David Benavidez
The most called-for option for Alvarez would be a showdown with counterpart Benavidez, who would likely be first in line to challenge for his undisputed belts. Benavidez has yet to be given the chance to rekindle a title challenge after missing weight in his defence against Roamer Alexis Angulo and being forced to vacate the WBC title belt now held by Alvarez.
He has racked up 26 victories during his time in the professional ranks and has yet to be defeated, with the American-born star expected to be Alvarez's sternest test at 168lb.. The potential challenger hasn't fought since defeating David Lemieux in May and is considered an avoided fighter.
Alvarez was dismissive of Benavidez's potential challenge immediately after the win, claiming he wouldn't fight a fellow Mexican as he analysed his resume. However he would likely represent the strongest contention if Alvarez is to remain as undisputed champion.
3. Jermall Charlo
Charlo is another highly-touted option for Alvarez having built up a significant record of 32 victories without defeat during his time in the professional ranks. The American star currently reigns as the WBC champion at 160lb, but has stated that he is willing to step up to the plate if he is to be offered the chance to compete for Alvarez's belts.
This would represent a more likely option for Alvarez having dismissed the challenge of a fellow Mexican, and Charlo has proved his world-title credentials in another division, where Alvarez has himself previously reigned as a champion. Charlo is yet to have a fight scheduled but will likely accept another test before any potential shot at Alvarez next year.
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4. Artur Beterbiev
Beterbiev could be a future option for Alvarez who has expressed his adamant attitude to return and become champion at 175lb. The Russian star currently holds the unified IBF, WBC and WBO titles in the division, and has shown his supreme talent during his undefeated march.
He is first expected to return in a mandatory defence against British star Anthony Yarde, which was signed to take place this year before the champion picked up an injury which will likely delay the bout until 2023. It is expected both Callum Smith and Buatsi will then look to assert their shot which could see any potential fight with Alvarez only available late next year or in 2024.
Should Beterbiev complete his defences, he could also look to a unification fight against native counterpart Bivol who could use it to his advantage to skip the rematch against Alvarez.
5. Oleksandr Usyk
There is an outside chance that Usyk and Alvarez could fight in a future bout with both men having talked up a potential fight. Alvarez has frequently spoken about taking the hardest challenges on offer and this would likely represent the biggest of them all with the Mexican likely required to step up to cruiserweight to make the fight.
A potential showdown seems unlikely with Usyk plying his trade at heavyweight after picking up a second consecutive win over Anthony Joshua to retain his unified world titles. The priority for the Ukrainian will likely be further lucrative fights in the blue-riband division including a shot at Deontay Wilder, or an undisputed title clash against the winner of Tyson Fury's new defence against Joshua.
Usyk has suggested he is open to the fight as it would likely bear financial fruit for both men, with Alvarez considered the biggest draw outside of the heavyweight scene.
