Wants Canelo To Focus On Light Heavyweight, Promoter: Undisputed Champion In 2 Different Classes Will Be Outstanding

Canelo Alvarez (Instagram @canelo)

JAKARTA - Promoter Eddie Hearn wants Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to focus on becoming the undisputed world champion in light heavyweight (79.3 kg) rather than aiming for the cruiser title (90.7 kg).

The Matchroom Boxing boss said Canelo would be better off moving up to light heavyweight to dethrone belt holders such as Artur Beterbiev (IBF and WBC), Dmitry Bivol (WBA) and Joe Smith Jr (WBO).

As previously reported, Canelo plans to move up to cruiserweight to challenge WBC title holder Ilunga Makabu. In addition, the name of the world heavyweight champion (+90.7 kg) WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO, Oleksandr Usyk who is also willing to return to the cruiser division to fight Canelo.

"I thought Canelo was going to fight Oleksandr Usyk, but I think it should be a fun weight. I can't see Usyk going back down to cruiserweight. And I know there's been discussion about Canelo and Makabu," Eddie Hearn said on iFL TV's YouTube channel which uploaded on Tuesday, December 14th.

“I personally think Canelo is better off being the undisputed champion in light heavyweight. I think he can do it. "There's no denying that being in two different classes would be great, and it's a move that would be really exciting," Hearn added.

In the next two weeks, Hearn admits that he will sit down with Canelo and his coach Eddy Reynoso to provide views and offers.

"My job is to give him the best possible opportunity. We know there are many other great promoters who can take him. But we have to show him the right way and hopefully we do it in early January," said Hearn.

Canelo once rose to the light heavy division and successfully won the WBO world title after defeating Sergey Kovalev at the MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, November 2, 2019.

However, the title was vacated because Canelo focused on competing in the super middleweight (76.2 kg) to finally bear the undisputed world title.

To be precise, after defeating Caleb Plant in a duel to unify four major titles WBA Super, WBC, IBF, and WBO at the MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, November 6, 2021.

Throughout his career, Canelo has won titles in four different divisions. In addition to the super middleweight and light weight class, the boxer from Mexico has also won in the junior (69.8 kg) and middle (72.5 kg) middleweight divisions.