Canelo no longer operating from automatic authority
“At this point, Canelo needs to prove to the people that he is a champion,” Diaz said.
The comment reflects the reality created by Crawford’s victory. For years, Canelo controlled the division and selected opponents from a position of authority. That changed the moment Crawford moved up in weight and beat him. The result shifted the burden back onto Canelo, forcing him into a position where he must re-establish himself through performance rather than reputation.
Diaz pointed to Dmitry Bivol as the type of opponent that would immediately command attention, referencing their previous fight and the unresolved nature of that loss.
“A fight that makes sense will be a rematch against Bivol,” Diaz said. “People would love to see a rematch against Dmitry Bivol. That’s an interesting fight.”
Even without that rematch, Canelo’s next opponent will carry significance. He is expected to face WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in September, a younger fighter entering his prime and widely regarded as one of the most dangerous contenders in the division. The fight represents a different kind of test, one where the outcome will directly influence how Canelo’s current level is viewed.
Diaz also acknowledged that Canelo’s career has reached a point where every decision now affects how he is remembered.
“The business of the sport has something planned for Canelo to come back,” Diaz said.
Canelo built his position over more than a decade of victories across multiple weight classes, but that position is no longer protected by history alone. What happens next will determine whether he remains part of the division’s present or becomes part of its past, and right now, he looks like a fighter who has to earn his authority again.
