Earlier this year, Canelo Alvarez signed a lucrative four-fight deal with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, which saw him defeat William Scull via unanimous decision. Immediately after, a bout against Terence Crawford was confirmed, culminating in tonight’s main event at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, live on Netflix. Crawford, of course, proved that just because ‘Cinnamon’ had all the advantages, doesn’t mean he can’t overcome them to create an upset.

Terence Crawford utterly outboxed Canelo Alvarez in their highly anticipated fight across 12 rounds, controlling the pace with flurries, aggression, and showboating while evading almost all of Canelo’s heavy body and head shots. Key moments included Crawford wobbling Canelo in Round 9 and late exchanges where Canelo desperately sought a knockout. Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 unanimously for Crawford. However, even though Canelo lost, he is still a big name in the sport. So what’s next for the Mexican superstar?

Canelo Alvarez could face this British rising star 

After producing a career-best performance against Edgar Berlanga in July this year, Hamzah Sheeraz threw his name into the mix for a potential blockbuster showdown with Canelo Alvarez. The unbeaten Brit dismantled Berlanga with a clinical display, scoring two knockdowns in Round 4 before sealing the win via TKO early in the fifth at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Now, attention has shifted to the possibility of facing Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, whom Sheeraz has long admired. “It would be an honor to share the ring with him; it genuinely would. Someone I’ve looked up to, and next thing you know you’re in the ring with them,” Sheeraz said after his fight. “Even if I get knocked out, I’ll stand there and trade with him.” 

What’s more, his promoter Frank Warren was all for it, calling him “a new superstar,” suggesting all eyes will be on the Canelo-Crawford fight. This potential matchup was also greenlit by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who wrote on X, “What a performance from Hamzah Sheeraz in NY with thousands against him. England and Pakistan should be proud of Hamzah. He will be champion inshallah.”

However, there’s another man who can land a fight against Canelo Alvarez!

Eddy Reynoso reveals Dmitry Bivol is still the goal

Days before tonight’s fight began, Canelo’s long-time trainer, Eddy Reynoso, confirmed that Dmitry Bivol, who handed Canelo a unanimous decision defeat in May 2022, remains the ultimate target. “Against Dmitry Bivol. I know Saul can beat him. We were close to doing it,” Reynoso told CNN en Español.

“After this fight, we’re going to reconsider what we want. I have confidence in Saul, because I’ve known him my whole life. I know how far he can go.” He even revealed a potential date for the fight to happen. “With the preparation we’re doing, we’re going to knock out Crawford. After that result, we’ll see what’s next for February or May. I’d love to fight with Bivol.”

With the Artur Beterbiev fight sidelined by Bivol’s back surgery, a long-awaited Canelo–Bivol rematch could finally materialize—if the Mexican chooses to go through with it.

Terence Crawford’s upset has seemingly thrown Canelo Alvarez’s future into disarray. Still, Canelo remains one of boxing’s biggest attractions, and the kind of payday he generates could easily lure either fighter into the ring with him. The question now is—who should Canelo face next?