by Oscar Cabrera, Boxing Contributor

After a commanding victory over Edgar Berlanga, Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2) remains at the pinnacle of the super middleweight division. Alvarez secured a unanimous decision (117-110, 117-110, 118-109), dropping Berlanga in the third round and asserting control for all 12 rounds. With his impeccable defense and sharp jab, Alvarez methodically picked apart Berlanga while landing a barrage of power punches. Now, the big question looms: what’s next for the unified super middleweight champion?

A host of potential matchups awaits Alvarez. Christian Mbilli (25-0, 21 KOs) has been vocal about facing the best in the division after his impressive win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Caleb Plant, another name being floated, presents an intriguing stylistic challenge, but the fight boxing fans are clamoring for is against the unbeaten David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs). Known for his relentless aggression and devastating power, Benavidez could be the true test of Alvarez’s dominance at 168 pounds. A mega-fight with Terence “Bud” Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) also remains a possibility, although Alvarez previously expressed reservations about fighting the smaller welterweight champion.

However, another fight that Alvarez likely has his sights set on is a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. Bivol handed Alvarez a clear defeat in May 2022, a blemish that still stings. Should Bivol win his upcoming unification bout against Artur Beterbiev, the stakes for a rematch would skyrocket. A victory over an undisputed Bivol would not only avenge Canelo’s loss but also solidify his legacy across multiple divisions. With so many exciting possibilities on the horizon, Canelo’s next move will be highly anticipated by the boxing world.