Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has been very busy since he last fought Gennadiy Golovkin. Since September 2018, Canelo has competed in nine contests, going 8-1. He fought three times in 2021 and will look to do the same in 2022.
On Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo lost to Dmitry Bivol for the WBA light-heavyweight title. There was the idea that Canelo was going to beat Bivol and unify the division. After that, he was down for anything. As he said during fight week, he is ready to fight anyone.
Now that Canelo has lost, what are the options for the 31-year-old Mexican superstar? The Sporting News looks at those options:
Gennadiy Golovkin trilogy
The most obvious option is to face Golovkin for a third time. September has been rumored as the time for the bout, which would most likely take place at middleweight.
Canelo and GGG first fought in 2017, with the bout ending in a controversial split draw. They competed in a rematch in 2018, with Canelo winning via majority decision. After years of waiting, both appear on a collision course following Alvarez's recent deal with Matchroom Boxing and DAZN. Golovkin recently beat Ryota Murata in Japan. Canelo did not complete his end of the deal and lost to Bivol. Still, a trilogy fight at this stage in their careers would still make sense.
Golovkin is the current WBA, IBF and IBO middleweight champion. Adding titles to this feud makes for a perfect recipe for success.
MORE: Canelo taking potential trilogy vs. GGG personally: 'Don't f— with me'
Artur Beterbiev or Joe Smith Jr., Bivol rematch
Although Canelo did not beat Bivol, there is a chance he could fight for light-heavyweight gold again.
Beterbiev and Smith are scheduled to meet in June for the WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles. The winner may want to face Bivol next. But what if Canelo is available? Depending on how the fight goes, Canelo may want another crack at light-heavyweight gold. That is, if he doesn't decide to go for a rematch with Bivol.
Beterbiev and Smith are both power punchers. Both would present a big challenge to Alvarez.
Ilunga Makabu
Remember when Team Canelo asked for, and was granted, access by the WBC to fight Makabu, the cruiserweight champion?
Eddy Reynoso asked and the WBC complied. Many thought Canelo would move up to cruiserweight right away. With the way things are going for him, he could return to that fight. That is especially true considering Alvarez and Oleksandr Usyk teased the idea of fighting at heavyweight or cruiserweight.
MORE: Canelo net worth: Purse history, career earnings
Makabu just beat Thabiso Mchunu to defend the WBC title. With no future matchup booked as of now, there is always a chance we'll see Canelo and Makabu fight each other.
David Benavidez
Benavidez feels dissed by Canelo. The former WBC super middleweight champion will fight David Lemieux on May 21 for the interim WBC super middleweight title.
If Benavidez wins, he would then be the rightful contender to Alvarez's super middleweight titles. After waiting years for a Benavidez-Caleb Plant bout and not having it come to fruition, fans could be clamoring for this fight, too. How high on the totem pole is a fight with Benavidez to Canelo, however? That remains to be seen.