The boxing world is about to experience a thrilling year ahead. With all the exciting fights lined up this year, none seems more exciting than the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight this September in Las Vegas. This mega-fight has sparked a flurry of news, leading to a recurring topic: Canelo Alvarez’s retirement.

At 34 years old, Canelo had already achieved great success. He held multiple world championships in four weight classes, from light middleweight to light heavyweight, including unified titles in three of those weight classes and lineal titles in two. Recently, the Mexican champion made headlines when he spoke about his retirement once again. He admitted that 38 would be a good age for him to retire from boxing.

This declaration has ultimately led to the question of who will become the next face of boxing. Canelo has been the flag-bearer of boxing, following in the footsteps of greats like Floyd Mayweather, Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya, and the newly elected member of the International Hall of Fame, Manny Pacquiao. But as his time in the sport winds down, who could succeed him as boxing’s next big star?

To answer that, a few hours ago, the unified Super Middleweight champion sat down for a conversation with Mike Coppinger for the Ring Magazine podcast. While discussing his monumental 2024 victories, his unyielding discipline, and other things, Canelo Alvarez was asked about his thoughts on the future of boxing and who might follow in his footsteps. And what he answered was a bit surprising.

The Guadalajara native mentioned two rising stars—Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis—both of whom he believes could lead the sport into the future. “I don’t know who’s gonna be [the next face of boxing] but they are good talent like Ryan Garcia. If they put everything, the discipline, everything, all you need. Gervonta Davis, obviously,” he claimed.

But what does it really take to be the face of boxing? According to Canelo Alvarez, it’s not just about skill—it’s about having “charisma, mental strength, discipline, and the right kind of support.” These elements combine to form a complete package, and both Garcia and Davis will need to prove they possess all the necessary qualities if they hope to step into Canelo’s shoes. 

Did Canelo Alvarez make the right prediction?

Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis have both displayed immense talent and star power. But the question remains: are they truly ready to become the face of the sport, or do they still have a long way to go? Hey, let’s not forget the Victorville native legit has a record of 24-1, 20 KO. On top of that, his social media presence, given his looks and everything else makes him look like he has all the ingredients to become a global superstar. However, what’s in question is KingRy’s discipline. His April 2024 bout with the ‘Dream’ was a setback, after he was found guilty of consuming PEDs by NYSAC and banned from boxing for a year.

However, one must not forget that Garcia has a major opportunity to prove himself in the coming months. According to the new rules set by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the 26-year-old is scheduled to face Rolando Romero in May at the 147 lbs division. If Garcia wins this fight, he could line up a rematch with Devin Haney, provided Haney defeats Jose Ramirez. A victory over Haney would not only bolster his previous win-turned-no-contest but also set him up for a title fight with Jaron Ennis for Ennis’ IBF welterweight title in early 2026, enhancing his claim to being the next face of boxing.

Gervonta Davis, on the other hand, has been a force to be reckoned with in the ring. Tank Davis has racked up several knockout victories for more than a decade over boxers like Yuriorkis Gamboa, Rolando Romero, Issac Cruz, Mario Barrios, and Ryan Garcia.

Even though his brash personality and occasional controversies outside the ring have made headlines, there’s no denying that his fights are consistently some of the most thrilling to watch.

With that said, Davis is scheduled to face Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1st, a fight that could further cement his position as one of the top fighters in the sport. If Davis defeats Roach, he will continue to build momentum toward bigger bouts, potentially leading to a rematch with Garcia or WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in the future.

The question of who will take over the role of the face of boxing after Canelo Alvarez is still open. With their talent and ambition, both fighters are in a prime position to take over the sport. But only time will tell if they can live up to the legacy that Canelo Alvarez has built.

So what do you think? Who will rise to take the crown when Canelo retires? Do share your thoughts with us below!