For every fighter around the middleweight division, Canelo Alvarez is the top prize. No matter what you do and achieve, in the end, the Mexican represents the pinnacle for this generation. And after finally achieving what he set out to do in 2022, Chris Eubank Jr. now stands as the frontrunner to have that match.
On April 26, the Sussex native defeated Conor Benn via a unanimous decision in one of the biggest British boxing events of the year. The legacy grudge match carried massive stakes, with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman even vowing to grant the victor a shot at Canelo. And now, as the IBO Middleweight champion has earned that opportunity, another boxing veteran has given him the nod, increasing pressure on Canelo Alvarez.
A showdown at Wembley with Canelo Alvarez next?
Following the Eubank-Benn electrifying showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, veteran coach Joe Gallagher congratulated the duo. He took to his ‘X’ to applaud the effort and suggest their next moves. For Chris Eubank Jr., he had only one opponent in mind: Canelo Alvarez. “Like see @ChrisEubankJr move back up 168 and have his big pay day v @Canelo next at Wembley or spurs in September,” he wrote.
Like see @ChrisEubankJr move back up 168 and have his big pay day v @Canelo next at Wembley or spurs in September . Canelo has always wanted fight in Uk .
Conor move back down in weight and fight For World title or Kell brook at 147
— Joe Gallagher (@JoeG) April 27, 2025
Although the unified super middleweight champion hasn’t commented on the matchup, Gallagher believes Canelo’s interest in fighting in the UK could make it happen. “Canelo has always wanted fight in Uk,” he wrote. Indeed, the Jalisco native has often shared his desire to fight British champions like Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in the United Kingdom, though both bouts occurred in the US.
So, if the unified super middleweight champion is still open to a showdown on British soil, Chris Eubank Jr. can qualify as a suitable opponent. Meanwhile, the 2015 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year sees only one viable move left for Conor Benn. To jump back to 147 lbs, his strongest division. “Conor move back down in weight and fight For World title or Kell brook at 147,” he stated.
It is most certainly possible that The Destroyer will pursue that move. However, given that the duo might still be stuck on this rivalry, and Canelo Alvarez’s packed schedule till 2026, we might not see any of these bouts happen soon.
A rematch on the cards?
While many believe that Eubank Jr. has finally closed this family saga by defeating Benn, that might not be the case. A few hours after the bout, The Ring Magazine reported that there is a rematch clause. In an Instagram post, they wrote, “EUBANK JR VS BENN HAS A REMATCH CLAUSE WHICH GIVES BENN THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORCE SECOND FIGHT.” Dissatisfied with the result, Benn could easily activate the clause, and rumors hint at a potential rematch in just five months.
However, with Eubanks now 2-0 in Britain’s longest boxing family rivalry, there should be no reason for him to go for the rematch. Accepting it might get him stuck in a dangerous loop, and a loss could completely shatter his current momentum.
Rather, moving up to 168 lbs and racking up victories there till Canelo Alvarez runs through his Saudi contract seems like a more viable option. Furthermore, with the relationship with his father just mended, revisiting the Benn rivalry could jeopardize that fragile reconciliation, something he would not likely want to go through again.
So, this victory should serve as a pivotal moment to reshape his career. By making himself an undeniable contender, Eubank Jr. can position himself as a prime option for Canelo Alvarez in late 2026, when the Mexican star’s schedule opens up once again.
What do you think? Should Chris Eubank Jr. go for a rematch? Or a fight against Canelo Alvarez is more tempting? Let us know your thoughts down below.
The post Legendary Boxing Trainer Puts Canelo Alvarez on Notice After Chris Eubank Jr’s Big Win vs. Conor Benn appeared first on EssentiallySports.