Who can Canelo fight next if not GGG?

Besides the fact that Canelo is a mandatory, and the boxing world is demanding it, another reason why the pressure is on for this to be the NEXT fight is because Canelo's pool of opponents is empty.

Let's go through the popular ones.

- Pacquiao
No way in hell will Pacquiao step in the ring with Canelo after that knock out of Amir Khan. Pacquiao already seemed iffy about it when asked about fighting Canelo. Roach said after the Khan KO that there's no way they'll ever fight Canelo, not even with a catchweight. Labeled him "way too big".

- Lemieux
GBP is a very smart company. Putting Canelo in the ring with a fighter like Lemieux is one of the worst things they could do - and they know this. Lemieux is an extremely dangerous fighter with 32 knockouts in 35 fights including a fantastic performance against Tapia. When you have a mega-fight in the distant future with GGG and the fight's massive revenue depends on GGG and Canelo continuing to win, then you DON'T PUT YOUR FIGHTER IN WITH A DANGEROUS OPPONENT WHO COULD COST YOU THAT MEGA FIGHT'S REVENUE.

That doesn't just go for Lemieux. That goes for any middleweight that would even pose a threat to Canelo.

- Cotto
Not going to happen. Why? There's absolutely no reason to. There's no selling point. Cotto hasn't even gotten a win, has been inactive, and has no selling point to why there should be a rematch. It wasn't a close fight. It wasn't that exciting either. No fans are calling for a rematch. There'd be no way to promote this fight, no way to defend it either. It simply doesn't make sense. Oscar told media yesterday Cotto isn't even in the equation to fight Canelo next. Not hard to see why.

- Bradley
Omg stop. Bradley is coming off a loss where he was knocked down twice against Pacquiao. Let me put it this way, after what the fans and media saw with Canelo and a natural welterweight, he will be crucified if he pulls another welterweight up to fight him. It's over now. I think Canelo recognized this too after he said he'll fight GGG at 160.

- Mayweather
Canelo can't make below 155 anymore. In fact, I think he's finally sick and tired of 155. Mayweather would have to go up to 155 to face Canelo. He won't. He won't give up that much of an advantage to Canelo, and most of all, he won't fight Canelo after his most recent performance of Khan. We know Khan is chinny, but Canelo is just too big. Welterweights see this. Including Mayweather and Pacquiao. Mayweather can fight Pacquiao for more money, who's a smaller fighter, and much less risky. Work smarter, not harder.


Bradley, Cotto, Pacquiao, Mayweather, and Lemieux are off the table. Yet, Canelo still needs an opponent who is big enough that they can pair him with Canelo and do buys but also not be too risky enough that they'd risk the GGG/Canelo fight revenue.

Who is there?

The biggest fight out there for Canelo is Golovkin. I think they're boxed in, and there's no getting out on this one, especially after what Canelo said last night. I'm sure GBP would prefer not to fight GGG next, but with the WBC threatening Canelo, and with no opponents, I think the wait for GGG/Canelo has been shortened and we can actually expect to see the fight in November.

:deal

 

1. GBP has said openly and fervently that from here on out, Canelo will be on PPV.

2. I clarified that any middleweight that seemed to pose a threat to the Canelo/GGG revenue wouldn't be put in the ring with him. And, as I said, it still has to be PPV. Rosado and Johnson are not PPV - at all.
Saunders is a possibility. Slick boxer with MW power and can take Canelo's punches, not sure how Oscar will feel about that... but I'd be okay with that fight before GGG because it'd make their fight an undisputed championship.

 

Not PPV.

 

Both too risky.

Listen guys, it's not that hard. Imagine if Mayweather and Pacquiao agreed to fight but they'd have one fight between them. Now, with all the money at stake, would they go on to fight a dangerous, unknown fighter with some of the best power in the division, or would they take on a fighter who they know will draw buys but is still beatable, not that risky (like, ehem, Berto or Bradley). They'd choose the fighter who is a draw but also not much of a risk.

Lemieux and Curtis are too very good middleweights with great power. GGG beat them easy, but don't let that fool you. You don't take on these dangerous type of fighters if you're planning on having a mega-fight with someone in the soon future.