After Artur Beterbiev’s controversial victory over Dmitry Bivol, the boxing world was sent into a frenzy, and one fighter in particular wasted no time making his voice heard: Canelo Álvarez. The undisputed super middleweight champion, who has never shied away from challenging the best, has officially called out Beterbiev for a potential fight.

Canelo has a history of daring to be great, and his sights are now set on Artur Beterbiev, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous light heavyweights in the sport. Having already fought Dmitry Bivol in 2022—a fight in which Canelo suffered a unanimous decision loss—he seems eager to take on Beterbiev and prove that he can still conquer the 175-lb division.

In a post-fight interview following Beterbiev’s win over Bivol, Canelo didn’t mince words:
“I respect Beterbiev, but that’s a fight I want. I’m always looking for the biggest challenges, and this is the fight the fans deserve.”

This bold statement left boxing fans buzzing about what could be the next major super-fight on the horizon.

Canelo’s foray into the light heavyweight division started when he defeated Sergey Kovalev in 2019, claiming the WBO title in dramatic fashion with a late-round knockout. However, his subsequent bout against Dmitry Bivol revealed some of the limitations of moving up in weight, as Bivol’s size, skill, and ring intelligence proved to be too much for the Mexican superstar. Despite the loss, Canelo remains undeterred, and Beterbiev’s power-punching style seems to present the exact challenge Canelo is seeking.

Taking on Artur Beterbiev, a unified light heavyweight champion with an undefeated record and a 100% knockout rate, would be one of the biggest risks of Canelo’s career. Beterbiev’s raw power, relentless pressure, and ability to break down his opponents make him one of the most feared men in boxing. But Canelo, known for his iron chin and tactical brilliance, believes he has the tools to dismantle Beterbiev’s attack.

A victory over Beterbiev would further cement Canelo’s legacy as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in history. It would also allow him to erase the memory of his loss to Bivol and stake his claim as a true force in the light heavyweight division.

While Beterbiev has yet to formally respond to Canelo’s challenge, sources close to the Russian powerhouse suggest that he’s open to the fight. Beterbiev has expressed a desire to face the biggest names in the sport, and a showdown with Canelo would undoubtedly be one of the most lucrative and high-profile bouts of his career.

In a sport where timing is everything, the possibility of Canelo vs. Beterbiev is exciting. The clash between Canelo’s precision and counterpunching versus Beterbiev’s raw strength and pressure-fighting could make for an explosive, must-watch event.

With Canelo Álvarez publicly calling out Artur Beterbiev, the stage could be set for one of the most anticipated fights in recent years. Canelo’s desire to continue testing himself against the very best shows his relentless pursuit of greatness. Now, the boxing world waits to see if Beterbiev will accept the challenge and give fans the showdown they’ve been waiting for.

If this fight comes to fruition, it could be a defining moment in both fighters’ careers—and a treat for boxing fans around the globe.