After the fight: Predicting the future of Canelo Alvarez and divisions

Dmitry Bivol’s victory over Canelo Alvarez may have changed the landscape of the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

Just when boxing’s future seems easy to predict, that’s when the unlikely occurs. Canelo Alvarez wasn’t supposed to lose to Dmitry Bivol, and now two divisions could be in flux.

Along with Matchroom and DAZN, Alvarez assumed victory would materialize into a trilogy bout with Gennadiy Golovkin. That might still happen, but Alvarez’s name has a little more tarnish on it after dropping a decision to Bivol.

Just like that, Bivol is the light heavyweight division’s frontrunner. Some events that occurred last weekend, combined with what’s scheduled to take place, could shift the pecking order at super middleweight and light heavyweight.

Please indulge me as I look into my crystal ball at what boxing’s future could be.

Alvarez put up a spirited fight against Bivol, but Bivol controlled the fight. He rose to greatness and demonstrated his boxing abilities. Alvarez can say that he thought he won, but the CompuBox numbers and the tape tell a different story.

Let’s assume Alvarez is weary of fighting Bivol again as he should be. He’s still the undisputed super middleweight champion and can fight Golovkin.

That’s not the contest fans want, but it’s the most reasonable move for Alvarez. He already beat Golovkin once, and age has taken more of a toll on Golovkin.

Golovkin still has power, but his reflexes are slowed, and he’s easy to hit for Alvarez. Alvarez could knock Golovkin out and restore faith in his abilities to those that doubt him after defeat.

David Benavidez and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez could be the biggest threats to Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol in 2023

Alvarez could rule the super middleweight division for years and ride off into the sunset when ready.

If Alvarez gives up his light heavyweight pursuits, it’s not hard to see how an undisputed champ takes shape.

Bivol can take on the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith Jr. on June 18. Beterbiev is undefeated with a perfect knockout rating. Smith is a big, strong boxer, but Beterbiev has amateur experience mixed with ferocious power.

Beterbiev likely stops Smith, netting the WBO, WBC, and IBF light heavyweight titles. Bivol should bide his time for Beterbiev.

That could lead to a unification matchup in December. Bivol and Beterbiev will be well-rested and ready for an epic showdown.

Beterbiev has the power, but Bivol has the brains and stamina to outpoint Beterbiev to become the undisputed champion.

It seems easy to predict, but there are so many factors, cough, cough, sanctioning bodies, I’m looking at you, that could derail this fanciful daydream.

The wildcards in all this are Gilberto ‘Zurdo’Ramirez and David Benavidez.

Ramirez dusted Dominic Boesel as expected, but he’s due for a WBA light heavyweight title shot. He’s large and powerful enough to give anyone problems, but he should remain on the backburner for the winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev.

However, Ramirez has the potential to take over the light heavyweight division.

Benavidez fights David Lemieux on May 21. He recently told FanSided that he wants rival Caleb Plant before the end of 2022.

That’s a feasible bout to make, and Benavidez would be the favorite. Let’s give him the edge over Plant by decision.

Currently, Benavidez is the only legit threat to Alvarez at super middleweight. Sorry Demetrius Andrade fans, but I don’t see him possessing the skills to beat Alvarez or Benavidez.

Jermall Charlo could give Alvarez and Benavidez difficulty, but he would have to commit to moving up. Otherwise, they have no obligation to entertain his services.

By the end of 2022, Alvarez and Bivol should be undisputed champions, but their luck could change in 2023.

Benavidez and Ramirez could make that a tumultuous year for them, but my crystal ball is limited to 2022 for the moment. Let’s see how my prophetic powers hold up in the coming months.