CANELO ALVAREZ PREDICTED TO FIGHT ‘SOFT’ BOXER BY RIVAL WARNING
After his loss to Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez is being advised to avoid a "soft" comeback fight. Oscar De La Hoya predicts Saudi backers will demand a tough opponent, with names like Benavidez and Yarde in the mix.
Before his anticipated comeback to the ring, Canelo Alvarez had been predicted to suffer a significant decline in opponent quality.
Last month, former world champion megastar Canelo Alvarez lost to Terence Crawford by a lopsided unanimous decision, ending his remarkable three-year unbeaten streak.
Numerous boxing talents have already called out the Mexican superstar, who is currently without a crown for the first time in seven years.
However, Canelo has been urged to pick his next opponent wisely because it is doubtful that he will face Crawford in an immediate rematch.
Oscar De La Hoya asserts that Canelo Alvarez's next opponent will be a "softie".
Oscar De La Hoya, an Olympic hero and former world champion and Canelo's former promoter, has been involved in a protracted battle with the Jalisco star since their Golden Boy breakup.
Additionally, De La Hoya responded to Crawford's triumph over Canelo by comparing it to Floyd Mayweather's noteworthy victory over the latter.
De La Hoya acted as a matchmaker for Canelo's projected boxing comeback, speculating that Saudi royal adviser Turki Alalshikh would step in.
"I believe Canelo (Alvarez) will attempt to select a weak opponent for his upcoming bout," De La Hoya informed Ariel Helwani. He has a very lucrative deal with Turki (Alalshikh); hence, I doubt Turki will allow him to do so.
De La Hoya went on, "I do not think Turki will let him fight a softie since Canelo is getting paid a lot of money." Turki will therefore want his money's worth. He will insist on giving it his all in battle.
Canelo Alvarez's fight chase included an outsider.
Throughout their title reigns, the unbeaten David Benavidez has been frequently linked to a bout against Canelo, putting his light heavyweight titles on the line next month.
But Anthony Yarde, a British prodigy and the Arizona star's new opponent, thinks a victory over Benavidez will put him in the running to fight Canelo.
"We will see. How about Canelo? Yarde told Sky Sports, "I believe Canelo would want to return and [think:] 'I can beat this man.'" He was defeated by [Sergey] Kovalev. Kovalev was knocked out by me. Can you understand what I am saying?
He went on, "No one knows where this plot can lead." "Consider that. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez versus Anthony Yarde. It would be insane.
THE EIGHT-FIGURE GAMBLE: CONOR BENN SIGNS A MASSIVE ONE-FIGHT DEAL WITH ZUFFA BOXING
Conor Benn joins Zuffa Boxing! Discover why he left Eddie Hearn, the details of his 8-figure deal, and Dana White's global plans.
Zuffa Boxing just landed one of the top welterweights out there, Conor Benn. The up-and-coming promotion announced Benn’s signing, adding even more star power to its growing roster.
Benn, 29, is riding high after a huge win over Chris Eubank Jr last November, finally getting his revenge after Eubank handed him his first-ever loss just seven months before. Right now, Benn stands at 24-1, with 14 knockouts. He’s held the WBA Continental Europe Welterweight title, too. There’s no date or opponent set for his Zuffa debut yet, but this is a big move for Dana White and his crew, who are serious about building a roster packed with champions and big names.
“I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,” Benn said in a press release. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Dana White is just as fired up. “Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,” he said. “He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out. He’s ready for a world title next, and I can’t wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing. He’s going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.”
Sports Illustrated reports that Benn’s contract is a one-fight, eight-figure deal, though neither White nor Benn has confirmed that.
This move also heats the ongoing rivalry between Dana White and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. Benn had been with Hearn ever since he turned pro in 2016, but now he’s switched sides. Earlier this year, White and his team also grabbed IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, another former Hearn fighter.
Lately, Hearn and White have been trading shots in the media, which is wild considering they used to get along before White jumped into boxing. With two big signings already in the bag, Zuffa is out to prove it means business. And you just know they’re not stopping here.
CRIS CYBORG EYES HISTORY: MMA LEGEND SET FOR WIBA WORLD TITLE BOXING MATCH ON MARCH 28
Cris Cyborg makes history! Discover how she plans to hold MMA and boxing world titles simultaneously on March 28 in Brazil.
Cris Cyborg is about to chase a slice of history on March 28.
Since leaving the UFC back in 2019, the former featherweight champ hasn’t slowed down one bit. She grabbed the Bellator 145-pound title, then picked up another belt in the Professional Fighters League. It’s like every time she shows up somewhere new, she leaves with gold.
Now, in 2026, Cyborg says she’s on her retirement tour. But she’s not just coasting to the finish line; she’s still looking to add something big to her legacy. This time, she’s stepping into a boxing ring, not an MMA cage.
It’s been a while since Cyborg lost a fight. That was back at UFC 232 against Amanda Nunes. Since then? She’s rattled off nine straight wins in MMA, but that’s only half the story. She started boxing in 2022, and she hasn’t lost there either: seven wins, no defeats.
On March 28, Cyborg gets her biggest boxing test yet. She’ll fight Paulina Cardona for the WIBA super welterweight belt. Winning would make her the first fighter ever to hold world titles in both MMA and boxing at the same time. Big names like Amanda Serrano and Holly Holm have held this belt before, so it’s not just any title.
Journalist James Lynch broke the news online and pointed out just how rare this accomplishment would be. If Cyborg pulls it off, she’ll stamp her name in the record books, plain and simple.
Let’s talk about her opponent. Cardona’s been in the ring a lot – 68 pro fights, to be exact – but her record isn’t exactly stellar. She’s 27-34-7, has been knocked out 15 times, and has only managed two wins in her last 14 outings. So, yeah, Cyborg’s the clear favourite here, and people are already raising eyebrows about the level of competition she’s been facing in boxing.
Still, history’s on the line in Curitiba, Brazil. All eyes are on Cyborg to see if she can pull off something no one else has done before.