Saúl 'Canelo' Alvarez stands close to the end of his storied career. His legacy features 63 wins, with 39 by knockout, but a recent loss to Terence Crawford pushes him closer to hanging up his gloves. After decades in the ring, and now recovering from surgery on his left elbow, the boxing world wonders who might step up as Mexico's next big star.
Attention turns to David Benavidez as a potential successor. The unbeaten fighter will face Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramírez on May 2 in Las Vegas, stepping up to cruiserweight. Saul Trujano, an ESPN analyst, expects big things from Benavidez. Describing him as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters today, Trujano highlights that this upcoming bout represents more than just another fight; it tests Benavidez in terms of ratings and pay-per-view sales too.
Others on Trujano's radar include Rafael 'Divino' Espinoza, Emanuel 'Vaquero' Navarrete, and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. Trujano poses a crucial question: Can these Mexican contenders deliver a better performance than Canelo has throughout his illustrious career? The answer unfolds in the coming years.
Canelo himself refocuses on recovery through activities like golfing while strategizing for a potential rematch with Crawford. With conversations already swirling about a transition toward new leaders in world boxing around 2026, Canelo’s exit opens a path for fresh faces in the industry’s spotlight. According to reports from [ESPN](https://www.espn.com), this changing landscape promises excitement for fans eager to see what the future holds for Mexican boxing champions.
