Saul Canelo Alvarez is set to go up to cruiserweight as he attempts to win a world title at a fifth weight by jumping up two divisions.
Alvarez became the first man to unify all four of the major titles at super middleweight just 11 days ago, when he defeated Caleb Plant with a stunning 11th round knockout, before sharing a lovely moment with the American.
Advert
The Mexican now holds the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF titles, as well as the Ring championship at 168 lbs, having also captured world titles in the light middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight divisions previously in his career.
Now Canelo is set to jump up to the cruiserweight division, after he was voted by the WBC to challenge their champion at that weight, Ilunga Makabu.
Whilst the 31-year-old has fought at light heavyweight before, it was two years ago and his last few outings have been back at super middle.
Advert
That means he is skipping a weight in order to face Makabu, who lost to Tony Bellew in 2016 for the title but has since gone on a nine fight winning run, including his title win and one defence to date.
Whilst the cruiserweight division has historically had a 200 lbs weight limit, the WBC's is 10 lbs lighter, which makes it a more doable jump up for Alvarez.
The WBC has a Bridgerweight weight division, between cruiser and heavyweight, which starts at 190 lbs and goes up to 224 lbs.
Speaking to ESPN, Canelo's coach Eddy Reynoso, who also coaches former heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr, said, "I know ... what he has done with the heavyweights he spars with, and that is why we asked for the fight.
Advert
"We know that [Makabu] is strong, but Canelo can beat him. ... Many may say that it is crazy, but they also said that it was crazy when Canelo was junior middleweight champion, and we were looking for middleweights, super middleweight, light heavyweights.
"I have a lot of confidence in Canelo. He is very strong and has many qualities, and I know that he is going to win that fight."
Reynoso also said that there had been offers for the fight to take place in Makabu's home country Congo, where his previous two fights have been held.
As well as the cruiserweight title picture, the WBC also discussed the heavyweight division at their 59th convention, in Mexico City, but decided against making Dillian Whyte the mandatory challenger to Tyson Fury's title.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Saul Canelo Alvarez, Canelo Alvarez, Boxing
