2020, for the majority was a year of stalemate in the super middleweight division, right until the 11th hour. Right as the last moment though a Mexican superstar came up and stole the show.
Best fight of 2020
There has been a real drought of top level 168lbs fights this year. David Benavidez missed weight and lost his WBC title on the scales. Caleb Plant took out a sub or opponent. Billy Joe Saunders and Danny Jacobs made hard work of over the hill opponents. There was only one fight where the best fought the best, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v Callum Smith.
Although the fight was a one sided decision the mastery shown by Canelo was in my opinion worthy of the top spot. He boxed a punch perfect fight against the number one fighter in the division, dominating every second and solidifying his position as the best 12 stone fighter on the planet.
Overview of division
The king is dead, long live the king, Canelo. There is a new WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine champion, the undisputed number one.
Those below him are threefold. First is the dethroned champion, Callum Smith, although he has stated a move to Light heavyweight could be next, as the departing champion he needs recognition at the top.
Next are two other belt holders Caleb Plant (IBF) and Billy Joe Saunders (WBO). Both are exceptionally talented fighters with no legitimate super middleweight victories on their resume. Slick boxers, they are surely world level, but have no victories to prove it.
Current top 3
Canelo Alvarez (54–1–2 WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine) The dominant champion at this weight class.
Callum Smith (27-1) Recently defeated champion who is still young enough to come again.
Caleb Plant (20-0 IBF) and Billy Joe Saunders(30-0 WBO) Extraordinary talents in desperate need of a big win.
Must see fight
With a dominant champion like Canelo Alvarez it is simply a matter of who you believe can offer the best challenge to his reign. That considered, I believe, Canelo Alvarez v Billy Joe Saunders is the highest profile fight to make.
Billy Joe is a trash talker extraordinaire and quick mover in the ring he will offer a different fight experience for Canelo and offer him an opportunity to further prove his greatness.
Rising star
The rising star at super middleweight conveniently coincides with the SimBoxx ‘Prospectu of the year’. 3 wins, 3 knockouts, all in the first round, 16-0 Edgar Berlanga fought three times in 2020, twice against fighters who’ve never been stopped before, and he never once went more than three minutes. At 23 years of age he is improving fast and sure to be the next big thing in this weight class.
Ewan for SimBoxx
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