Tony Bellew predicts Canelo Alvarez to KO biggest puncher in boxing
- Joe Hewlett
- 23 December 2021
“I’ve seen the warning signs there already, I’ve seen the shots that he can be hurt with. It did against Sergey Kovalev."
Artur Beterbiev holds one record no other world champion has right now, and that's a 100% knockout ratio.
The WBC and IBF light heavyweight titlist continued his ruthless streak with the latest stoppage of Marcus Browne in round nine. The pair collided in Beterbiev's adopted hometown of Montreal, Canada, in the Bell Centre and he overcame a nasty clash of heads to prevail over Browne.
The 36-year-old now has 17 wins inside the distance and is being linked to fighting Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2022.
Whether it is next is another thing with Canelo's trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso targeting a showdown with WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu in May.
And having analysed Beterbiev's performance, Tony Bellew believes Canelo can not only beat the Russian but also stop him.
"I think Canelo would stop Beterbiev," said Bellew to DAZN Boxing. "I've seen the warning signs there already, I've seen the shots that he can be hurt with.
"It did against Sergey Kovalev," said Bellew as he dived into Alvarez's punching power. "If it does with Kovalev then I think it will with Beterbiev but as I said, styles make fights."
Makabu needs to start fast
Canelo admitted he was unaware of the interest in taking on Ilunga Makabu but has welcomed the challenge.
The Mexican has won world titles in four divisions, more recently becoming the first undisputed champion at super middleweight.
Canelo also has world titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight.
Should he take on Makabu for the WBC cruiserweight title then he will need to make the weight limit of 190lbs rather than the traditional 200, something which will help Canelo more than Makabu.
One fighter who knows what it's like to take on and beat Makabu is Tony Bellew. The "Bomber" climbed off the canvas and defeated the African southpaw inside three rounds to become world champion in 2016.
Bellew - who fought at light heavyweight during his career - thinks his ex-opponent needs to start fast if he is to have a chance of claiming the biggest scalp in boxing.
"Makabu likes to have a look and that's why tried to jump on him in our fight," Bellew added.
"He's very relaxed in the early rounds because he wants to have a proper look at what's in front of him then go to work in the later rounds. I wasn't going to give him that opportunity and that's why I started as quick as I did.
"Makabu has a high guard and dangerous left hand and he has to get that into play from the first bell. Canelo is going to come in heavy so he could lose some of what makes him special but Makabu will still be the bigger man and he has to make that count.
"His size can be a big asset but he has to use it from the moment the fight starts otherwise he'll be playing catch up against the best fighter in the sport."
