• 

  Canelo Alvarez

  Birthname:

  Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán

  Birthdate:

  Birthplace:

  Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

  Height:

  5 ft 7+1⁄2 inches

  Weight:

  168 pounds

  Championships Held:

  Undisputed super-middleweight/multiple world championships in four weight classes

  Twitter:

  https://x.com/Canelo

  Instagram:

  https://www.instagram.com/canelo/

  Eye Color:

  Brown

  Hair Color:

  Red

  Siblings:

  Rigoberto, Ramón and Ricardo Álvarez

  Profession:

  Boxer

  Nationality:

  Mexican

  Stance:

  Orthodox

  Reach:

  70+1⁄2 inches

In a surprising turn of events, British fighter Chris Eubank Jr has emerged as the leading contender to face Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super-middleweight champion.

Eubank Jr is closing in on a shot at the 168lbs crown, a title Canelo last defended in May with a dominant victory over Jaime Munguia.

The Mexican star dropped Munguia to the canvas before securing a comfortable unanimous decision victory, marking his fourth consecutive win.

Canelo Alvarez Eyeing Chris Eubank Jr. Clash

The Mexican Star Has Faced Heavy Criticism For Picking Opponents

Canelo, 33, is now seeking his next opponent for a potential return to the ring later this year. According to ESPN's Salvador Rodriguez, Eubank Jr has become the favorite to challenge Canelo, often considered boxing's biggest draw.

The former WBA title challenger has not fought since avenging his defeat to fellow Brit Liam Smith in September but is now in a prime position for the lucrative bout.

Eubank Jr has long sought a showdown with Gennady Golovkin but has been overlooked in the past. This could be the opportunity he has been waiting for, promising a blockbuster payday against Canelo instead after Triple G informally retired.

However, it would be hard to justify giving Eubank Jr. a title shot in the super-middleweight division.

Canelo Continues To Avoid David Benavidez

Meanwhile, fans have been calling for Canelo to face David Benavidez Jr, who boasts 24 knockouts in his 29 straight victories. However, Canelo seems uninterested in this match-up, dismissing the notion in a recent interview with Fight Hub TV. He seemingly priced himself out of the Benavidez price, despite the fighter being his longtime mandatory for his WBC world title.

"Maybe it’s one of the biggest fights, who knows," Canelo said. "But you know, he brings nothing to the table for me, he just brings 25 pounds on the night of the fight. If a promoter offers $150m-$200m, I fight tomorrow. That’s the only reason I fight with him, the only thing he brings to the table is 25 more pounds.

Canelo, a mainstay in the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters for nearly a decade, has lost only two of his 65 professional contests and has clinched world titles in four weight classes. His most recent loss is to Dmitry Bivol and is yet to pursue a rematch. Eubank Jr, on the other hand, is still seeking a recognized world championship after previously holding the lesser-regarded IBO super-middleweight title.