Saul Alvarez's Next Challenge Could See Him Face Undefeated Superstar

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has successfully placed a lid on his trilogy of fights with Gennadiy Golovkin and has the freedom to choose who he will share the ring with.

Alvarez's trilogy bout with "GGG" was panned by critics and former fighters alike, with boxing Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya among the most vocal of them.

However, Lyle Fitzsimmons of Boxing Scene proposed that Alvarez should fight undefeated youngster David Benavidez upon his return from an injured wrist dating back to the Caleb Plant fight.

"Benavidez checks off all the boxes for a compelling match, including youth (25), unbeaten record (26-0, 23 KOs), title-holding pedigree (two reigns as WBC champion) and mandatory challenger status," Fitzsimmons wrote.

"Like several other prospective foes, Benavidez is taller by four-and-a-half inches and has a four-inch reach edge over Alvarez, but his 88.5% KO rate adds an element of real danger not as apparent with any other would-be opponent in the weight class."

Benavidez has had a solid six-knockout run that started in March 2019, which includes former middleweight champions such as Anthony Dirrell and David Lemieux--the latter being a title fight for the WBC interim super middleweight strap.

"The Red Flag" does have reason to chase a fight with Alvarez since he currently holds the interim title, while "Canelo" is the lineal and undisputed king of the 168-pound division.

In addition, Benavidez is only behind Alvarez in The Ring Magazine's divisional rankings.

It does have the makings of an old school-versus-new school type of fight.

Alvarez was once the hot up-and-coming prospect with a chip on their shoulder.

Meanwhile, Benavidez occupies that same space now as he looks to prove he belongs atop the weight class.

With the blessings of otherworldly punching speed coupled with knockout power, seeing a 32-year-old Alvarez share the ring with a mirror image of himself at age 25 is likely to draw big numbers.

Former Ring Magazine editor Randy Gordon spoke with Boxing Scene about this possibility and believes that Alvarez needs to "go after that fight and stop hoping Benavidez goes away."

With Alvarez on the shelf due to injury, Benavidez might be the more vocal of the pair in campaigning for a 2023 fight as he looks to establish himself as the future of the super middleweight division.

Fitzsimmons noted, however, that Alvarez could also be looking towards a revenge performance against WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol after he starched the Mexican pugilist en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Alvarez faces a fork in the road with regard to his next fight, and fans eagerly await who will step inside the squared-circle with "Canelo" upon his return.