THE PANEL:
Wayne Alexander (Former European super-welterweight champion)
Canelo would find Beterbiev and Bivol completely different propositions to Sergey Kovalev. These are younger, fresher fighters in their primes with a lot to prove. I don’t think Canelo needs them, especially Beterbiev, who is so strong and tough and a natural light-heavyweight. I think Bivol would be the easier option and Canelo would outpoint him.
Callum Johnson (Former British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion)
I think he has a decent chance against Bivol because he doesn’t have super strength and power. He has slim to no chance against Beterbiev, though. He is too big, strong and powerful for Canelo.
Declan Warrington (Boxing journalist)
He’s capable of beating both. Beterbiev’s particularly dangerous and relatively unpredictable, so that’d represent a high-risk fight, but I’d be as confident about him beating Bivol as I was Kovalev. He’s at his peak. Andre Ward would still beat him, though.
Ryan Walsh (Current British featherweight champion)
I think the timing was perfect in his last fight whereas with Beterbiev and Bivol it’s the total opposite. He’d be a very live underdog against either, but I expect Canelo to go down to 168. I’d love to see him against Callum Smith.
