Polarizing Canelo Alvarez proves he’s not done

Yes, I know, Canelo Alvarez defeated a smaller opponent.

Again.

But this one is talented. Jermell Charlo had lost only once in 16 years.

Alvarez has lost twice in 60 professional fights.

Floyd Mayweather, who outboxed Alvarez 10 years ago, showed his respect after the Charlo fight by shaking his hand warmly.

Alvarez did what he said he’d do, proving he’s hardly finished. He bossed Charlo all fight and was sharp and on point. Alvarez remarked weeks ago that his recent sub-par performances were more about injuries (his wrist) than decline. He backed up his words in the ring.

His many left hooks to the ribs bothered Charlo.

“We worked on attacking the body,” said Canelo. “We know he’s a great fighter. He knows how to move in the ring. We worked on attacking the body for three months. For three months in the mountains without my family, without everything.”

Charlo didn’t fight back much. After being clipped and taking a knee in round seven, his mood seemed to be about survival. Even in the earlier rounds, the Alvarez pressure appeared to unnerve him. He was beat mentally and physically.

Still, kudos to Charlo for jumping two divisions and taking a shot.

He admitted after the bout that the blow that knocked him down dazed him.

“Yeah, you know, that was like my true first time like, you know, feeling, you know, like a woozy shot,” said Charlo. “You know what I mean? Like I’m the one always giving ‘em.”

I’ve never thought of Alvarez as a great fighter. Good for sure – very good at times. Saying the word good seems to drive some of his harshest critics’ nuts.

But he is.

Since 2019, he’s defeated “bigger” fighters, Daniel Jacobs and Callum Smith, an over-the-hill Sergey Kovalev, Billy Joe Saunders, and Caleb Plant.

Pretty impressive.

Did Gennady Golovkin beat him? (some say twice)

Yes.

How about Erislandy Lara several years ago?

Arguably yes.

Tainted meat?

Please.

Has he cheery picked his way to titles?

Yes, but so have many others.

What’s next?

David Benavidez makes sense, but sense and boxing don’t always go hand in hand. The fans want it.

Terence Crawford has been making noise about fighting Alvarez.

“You know, I always say if the fight makes sense, why not?” Alvarez said. “But he (Crawford) is not in the plan. I still love boxing. “I love boxing so much. Boxing is my life. Boxing made me the person I am today.

Alvarez then added.

“I’m a strong fighter all the time, against all the fighters,” said Canelo. “I’m a strong man. Nobody can beat this [version of’ Canelo.”

Dmitry Bivol might beg to differ. No matter what Alvarez thinks or says, Bivol beat him easily 16 months ago. Benavidez is the obvious choice. The undefeated talent is reportedly fighting Demetrius Andrade in November.

Benavidez would be the favorite against Andrade, who’s spotted about as often as The Invisible Man.

The winner would face Alvarez.

We can hope.