Ryan Garcia has suggested Canelo Alvarez would beat Artur Beterbiev, but a simulation of the fight suggests it wouldn’t happen.
Beterbiev made history as he defeated Dmitry Bivol in an incredible encounter to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion since Roy Jones Jr held the belts in 2002.
UndisputedCanelo has been backed by Garcia to beat Beterbiev, but not on Undisputed[/caption]
It was a difficult decision on the judges’ scorecards with some suggesting he actually lost to Bivol in what was such a closely fought contest.
But nonetheless, the 39-year-old put in a seriously impressive display to capture all of the belts, and it is unclear what lays in store next.
An immediate rematch is set to be declared between the pair, but many believe Beterbiev may be unbeatable.
Although boxing star Garcia suggested super-middleweight king Alvarez may be the man to step up to 175lbs and dethrone the champion.
I think Canelo beats Artur,” Garcia said on X on Saturday night.
The Mexican has already lost to Bivol in 2022 when making the weight switch, but would likely accept the challenge against Beterviev.
Garcia’s prediction has been put into practice with the pair matched up on the freshly released Undisputed boxing video game in a simulation of the clash.
The fight began in the opening round at a high tempo, with Alvarez looking to close the gap and advance forward, clipping Beterbiev with some neat combinations early on.
It was a fast-paced three minutes on the simulation with Beterbiev typically starting slow, but being forced to respond and he did so.
The light-heavyweight champion began to find his range and landed several stiff jabs, and some heavy shots with one right hand even rocking Alvarez.
UndisputedBeterbiev landed a crunching left hook which slumped Alvarez to the canvas[/caption]
UndisputedAlvarez was knocked out and he will hope to perform much better if the pair meet[/caption]
Of course the shots were simulated but clearly the pair wouldn’t come out quite as quick, with practically everything being left on the line early on.
And it was in the second round where things came to life even more as Beterbiev’s power and size began to prevail over the Mexican.
He began to unload to the body and head and Alvarez’s character backed off, looking to cover up as he struggled to close the distance.
Alvarez survived the round and reassesses, but he was under the cosh and the tides turned in the third period.
He stunned the Mexican with a right hook with Alvarez bizarrely frozen, before dropping him with the same shot to the body.
The challenger was able to recover, but he was on borrowed time, and Beterbiev switched the attack upstairs to land the killer blow.
He was left flat on his back out cold after a thunderous left hook closed the show, and that would be a damaging defeat if it was to happen.
It is unlikely the showdown would play out at such breakneck speed, but it is clear that Alvarez was on the back foot according to that simulation.
The Mexican will be of course optimistic that he can pull off an upset and become a two-time light-heavyweight champion against the odds.
He has been given Garcia’s back but a shot against Terence Crawford, who could move up in weight to 168lbs, maybe a more favourable option for a mega-fight.