Canelo Alvarez faces the most complex crossroads of his career, with a devastating loss to Terence Crawford and trainer Calvin Ford’s explosive comments—that the Mexican icon “got old in the ring”—fueling intense speculation over his future.
However, amidst the criticism, WBN speculates that Canelo’s next move could be a truly huge one: a pivot to the cruiserweight division.
The four-division champion’s next move is delayed by elbow surgery, pushing his return until the second or third quarter of 2026. This extended layoff gives Canelo a chance to strategically plot a course that can both silence critics and secure a monumental legacy.
The Cruiserweight Crossroads: A Path to History
The clamor for a David Benavidez fight or a Dmitry Bivol rematch remains loud, but the physical and mental toll of those high-pressure bouts might be too high for a fighter entering the twilight of his career.
Instead, WBN speculates that Canelo may choose to pivot to the cruiserweight division (200 pounds) for a less physically draining but historically significant challenge. Such a move would allow him to chase a world title in a record fifth weight class, a feat that would further cement his legacy while enabling him to avoid the high-pressure style of a Benavidez or the elite size of a Bivol at light-heavyweight.
A move to 200 pounds would open the door for a massive all-Mexican clash against current WBA and WBO champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, or a contest against the winner of the ordered rematch between WBC belt holder Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian 2.
If successful, Canelo could eventually welcome Benavidez to the higher limit in the final bout of his Riyadh Season deal.
‘He Got Old in the Ring’ | Ford’s Criticism
The push for a strategic move to cruiserweight is amplified by the severe criticism levied by Gervonta “Tank” Davis‘s head trainer, Calvin Ford.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Ford explained that the outcome of the Crawford fight was not a shock, claiming he had foreseen the former pound-for-pound king’s difficulties.
When asked for his reaction to Crawford’s dominant performance, Ford stated:
“No, that is not crazy! You know why I say it’s not crazy? Because I predicted it, and I said Canelo was going to get old in the ring that night. No disrespect to Crawford.”
Ford went further, suggesting that Crawford intentionally carried Canelo to the final bell despite having the firepower to finish the contest earlier. “Crawford could have stopped him,” Ford added. “He was being humble of Canelo. It was a great fight, and it was a good talk for the boxing world.”
The implication is heavy: Canelo’s loss was less about Crawford’s unexpected jump in weight and more about an irreversible decline for the 35-year-old.
Jake Paul: The Long-Term Mega-Money Play?
Canelo still has two fights remaining on his lucrative contract with Turki Alalshikh. Looking beyond that contract, another surprising option looms large: a future fight against YouTube-star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
WBN understands that a Canelo vs. Paul showdown in 2027 remains a possibility after his Riyadh Season deal expires. Canelo has openly dismissed Paul in the past. However, the guaranteed nine-figure payday a fight of that magnitude would generate is a massive incentive for the Mexican icon as he looks to wind down his career, especially if he has already acclimated to the division.
Whether he pursues a safer path to a fifth-division title, a highly controversial bout with Paul, or steps back into the fire against a top contender, Ford’s assessment ensures that, as usual, scrutiny will intensify, and all will review Canelo’s future performance through the lens of a fighter facing the inevitable march of time.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.