The news has understandably divided the boxing fanbase, given the implications. Charlo is not a natural 168-pound fighter, and boxing fans saw this when Alvarez fought Jermell Charlo. Charlo moved up two weight classes from 154 pounds to for undisputed at 168. He was fighting above 154 pounds for the first time in his career.

That difference in the weight class was telling immediately. Charlo’s punches failed to hurt Canelo, who walked down the American. Although Charlo managed to get up after being knocked down, he was never in a competitive fight. As for a fight with Crawford, Alvarez distanced himself initially when the links started to emerge.

Crawford must move up three weight classes from 147 to get that fight. Canelo clarified that he would not get any credit for the win, but he did not dismiss the fight entirely if it made sense. So, facing Charlo and Crawford may be seen as less risky compared to Benavidez, who is arguably Canelo’s biggest threat. That has raised suggestions that Canelo is ducking the Mexican Monster. Alvarez has addressed that in the past, saying this is nothing new.

Canelo Vs. Benavidez

“Everybody say the same thing all my life. When I fight with [Austin] Trout, they say I’m ducking Trout. When I fight with other fighters, they say I’m ducking [Gennadiy] Golovkin, I’m ducking Erislandy Lara. Every time I beat every single fighter they say I have this other fighter… they find somebody else.  I’m ducking nobody. I’ve been in this position a lot of times. I just do the fights that are the best for the fans. I don’t know. We don’t know that. We’re 100% focused on this fight and we’ll see” Canelo stated