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What boxing middleweight titles does Canelo Alvarez hold?

By Jeremy Herriges

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: Canelo Alvarez celebrates after knocking out Liam Smith, lower, during the WBO Junior Middleweight World fight at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: Canelo Alvarez celebrates after knocking out Liam Smith, lower, during the WBO Junior Middleweight World fight at AT /
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Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin (GGG) will fight for several middleweight titles, but which titles is Canelo Alvarez bringing to the table?

Saturday, Sept. 16, we will find out who is the best middleweight in the world when Canelo Alvarez meets Gennady Golovkin in the ring. This is a middleweight title bout and there are four specific titles on the line: the WBA (super), IBF, WBC, and IBO.

Of these four titles, Canelo possesses none of them. He is the challenger even though he’s being treated as the champion. It is speculated that he is receiving a larger purse than Golovkin and he is coming out to the ring last, which is an honor usually reserved for the world champion.

Canelo has held a middleweight title. He won the WBC middleweight title in 2015 against Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision. He defended it in 2016 against Amir Khan. Both of these fights were contested at a catchweight of 155 pounds. They were deemed as middleweight bouts even though they were one pound above the super welterweight limit.

Canelo ultimately decided to vacate this title and went on to win the WBO super welterweight title in 2016 against Liam Smith. Canelo also vacated this title to pursue glory in the middleweight division.

It is unlikely that Canelo will ever return to the super welterweight division. He seems committed to being a middleweight. He has added a lot of muscle mass and has undergone a bit of a body transformation. His physique today is very different from his days as a welterweight.

Next: Canelo vs. GGG weigh-in results

Canelo is rumored to walk around at 180 pounds or above. He also fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his last fight at 164 pounds. He lacks experience as a true middleweight, but making the 160 pound limit will not be a problem.

If Canelo defeats Gennady Golovkin, he will inherit four title belts to add to his collection. He would most likely continue on to defend the majority of these titles in his next bout. Tune in Saturday night to find out who will walk away with the hardware.

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