LAS VEGAS — Canelo Alvarez heard what used to be being stated. In all truth, he’s heard all of it nearest 18 years in professional boxing, 5 of the ones as boxing’s lead celebrity.

Previously the known pound-for-pound king, Alvarez misplaced that situation when he used to be defeated by means of Dmitry Bivol at 175 kilos in Would possibly 2022, Alvarez’s first loss since 2013 when he used to be routed by means of Floyd Mayweather.

Alvarez returned to shield his undisputed tremendous middleweight championship with a victory over Gennadiy Golovkin to conclude their storied trilogy terminating September, upcoming defeated John Ryder in Would possibly in Mexico. Nonetheless, the feedback persevered from lovers and media indistinguishable: Alvarez, at pace 33 and nearest 60 professional fights, wasn’t the similar fighter anymore.

Alvarez effectively proved — with each and every punishing left hook and overhand proper — over 12 rounds towards Jermell Charlo on Saturday that he’s certainly nonetheless elite, nonetheless the face of boxing and nonetheless an all-time splendid.

“Nobody can compete with this Canelo,” stated Alvarez, ESPN’s Deny. 4 pound-for-pound boxer.

Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) didn’t ranking the knockout he so desperately sought after, however it used to be perceptible that he used to be on the lead of his recreation. His motion, mixture punching and trademark skill to snip off the hoop all gave the impression in top mode as he ruled Charlo en path to the 3rd protection of his 4 168-pound titles. Certain, Charlo used to be shifting up two weight categories and had by no means fought in this degree earlier than, however he’s an elite fighter who had defeated each and every boxer he’s ever confronted.

Alvarez neutralized his offense and made Charlo really feel his energy. Alvarez pressured Charlo to pull a knee in Spherical 7 nearest he attached on an overhand proper and introduced defiantly that he’s nonetheless the similar fighter who earned all-time splendid situation.

“I agree that a couple fights I don’t look the same, but that doesn’t mean other things,” Alvarez informed ESPN on Wednesday. “I feel fresh, I feel young and I feel strong. I feel in my prime, and you will see Saturday.”

Certainly, we did. Alvarez fought Bivol and GGG with a significant left wrist trauma. He underwent surgical procedure in October and stated he wasn’t 100% assured in his top weapon towards Ryder, whom he dropped however didn’t end.

Similar to he did towards Ryder, he used to be ready to reduce Charlo, who additionally heard the general bell. However this past, Alvarez didn’t really feel dissatisfied.

“Charlo is a savvy fighter, someone who can move around the ring…,” Alvarez stated. “I’m happy with the work I did. I did my job.”

At this pace, the most important query for Alvarez surrounds his year warring parties. He used to be at first slated to combat Jermell’s dual brother, Jermall, on Saturday, and possibly that combat may also be revisited when Alvarez returns on Cinco De Mayo weekend. Jermall Charlo is ready to go back nearest a two-and-a-half-year layoff on Nov. 25 towards Jose Benavidez Jr.

A much more smart choice for Alvarez is Benavidez’s more youthful brother, David Benavidez, the volume-punching former tremendous middleweight titleholder coming off a win over Caleb Plant. Benavidez is scheduled to combat Demetrius Andrade within the Nov. 25 primary match. “[Benavidez] has demonstrated he’s the best,” Benavidez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, informed ESPN. “He deserves the opportunity. The sport of boxing deserves to see the best.”

However probably the most smart bout of all, most likely the most important in all of boxing, is a matchup between Alvarez, the face of boxing, and Terence Crawford, the game’s lead pound-for-pound fighter, who’s stated he wish to face Alvarez.

Canelo vs Crawford is the most important combat in boxing. There’s deny fighter in the market that’s a larger combat upcoming us.

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) September 8, 2023

“I always say if the fight makes sense, why not? But [Crawford’s] not in the plan,” Canelo stated on the postfight information convention.

Pressed additional a couple of attainable combat with Crawford, Alvarez stated: “If it makes sense, maybe. I don’t know right now. Let me enjoy this fight and then you’re going to know what’s next.”

Alvarez would possibly now not know who’s later, however he’s positive of 1 factor: He’s again. In all chance, he’s peerless at 168 kilos and under. It’s taking to pull a different fighter to overcome Alvarez.

Bivol qualifies as one such boxer however even that combat took playground at 175 kilos. Alvarez has now wiped clean out the tremendous middleweight category — his category — save for David Benavidez. Or even he can be an underdog by contrast reinvigorated, wholesome model of Alvarez.

“Finally, I’m back,” Alvarez stated. “I feel confident right now. I feel great. I’m happy because I didn’t feel like this for a long time. But now I’m back.”