Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom is not overly surprised with Canelo Alvarez’s recent decision to make a move to the cruiserweight division to challenge WBC world champion Ilunga Makabu.
Hearn promoted three of Canelo’s last four fights.
Earlier this month, Canelo became the undisputed super middleweight champion after knocked out Caleb Plant.
Canelo has captured world titles at 154, 160, 168 and 175.
The Mexican star is motivated to become a five division champion – and he’s looking to make that leap in May of next year. The cruiserweight limit is 200-pounds – which is quite a jump for Canelo.
Hearn believes Canelo is fully capable of cleaning out light heavyweight and becoming the undisputed champion in that weight class as well.
The veteran promoter could even see Canelo make a jump to heavyweight.
“I think with Canelo and Eddie Reynoso, they want challenges. They want to dare to be great which is tremendous for the sport. The Makabu fight is a cruiserweight fight that would give him another world championship victory, would get a lot of people talking as it did last night, and I think it’s a good option for him,” Hearn told IFL TV.
“I think it’s a dangerous fight. I was speaking to Tony Bellew – who could be looking real good in a few months if this happens – and he said that Makabu is a huge puncher, huge puncher, and very strong. I think that when you look at Saul the Golovkin fight is a huge fight financially, a lot of people would want to see that fight. But does that motivate him? I think he could become undisputed at 175 and I like that plan. But there is also the cruiserweight division.
“Listen, he could move up and fight at heavyweight. I mean, Usyk’s not a massive heavyweight, Trevor Bryant’s a world champion as well. Can he compete against those guys? Cruiserweight first, maybe. But I like the fight against Makabu. I think it’s a dangerous fight, I think it’s an exciting fight and as I said, Saul and Eddy are interested in making history. They’re not interested in having normal, boring fights. Every fight has to mean something.”