Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is chasing history yet again. According to a report from Mike Coppinger of ESPN, the WBC has approved Eddie Reynoso’s request to make Saul “Canelo” Alvarez the mandatory challenger for WBC Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Junior Makabu. With approval from the WBC, negotiations can begin immediately. If no deal is reached, the fight will go to a purse bid.
Alvarez has won a title at light heavyweight, but he has never competed at cruiserweight. However, his trainer, Eddie Reynoso, feels confident that he can compete with the best in the 190-pound division.
“I know what he has done with the heavyweights he spars with, and that is why we asked for the fight,” Reynoso told ESPN Deportes.
“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.”
Makabu is under the promotion of Don King, who reportedly hopes to bring the fight to Congo. However, no date or location has been set in stone for this fight.
“Let’s see if something can be arranged for that to happen,” Reynoso told ESPN.
“It is one more challenge. Just as we took the challenges at 168 and 175 pounds, now we are going to cruiserweight.”
