KEY POINTS

  • Manny Pacquiao hails Canelo Alvarez after his impressive KO win over Caleb Plant
  • Alvarez made history as the first undisputed champion at 168 pounds
  • Either Charlo or Benavidez is being suggested as the Mexican's next opponent

Manny Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division world champion, was one of the many who tuned in over the weekend when Saul "Canelo" Alvarez knockout Caleb Plant in the 11th round to unify all major world titles in the super middleweight division.

Like most boxing personalities, the retired Filipino boxer congratulated Alvarez on the victory, stating that the sport "is in good hands" with the Mexican pound-for-pound king.

“Congratulations to the pound-for-pound king, Canelo, on making boxing history as the first undisputed super middleweight champion ever. Plant put up a great fight, but Canelo is just too good. Boxing is in great hands,” he posted on his official Twitter account.

The win placed Alvarez in good company. He joined Bernard Hopkins, Jermaine Taylor, Terence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, Teofimo Lopez and Josh Taylor as the only boxers to hold the IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC titles simultaneously.

Now, it remains to be seen who Alvarez may face next.

Kenny Porter, the father and trainer of former world champion Shawn Porter, gave two names who could give the Mexican some stiff competition–Jermall Charlo and David Benavidez.

Canelo Alvarez lands a shot to the body of Caleb Plant during their unifciation bout on Nov. 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada, USA.
Canelo Alvarez lands a shot to the body of Caleb Plant during their unifciation bout on Nov. 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada, USA. Mikael Ona | IBTimes

“Charlo," Porter told Fight Hype. "Benavidez is a great fighter as well, but the first one that came to my mind is Charlo."

But for now, Alvarez will savor his recent conquest of Plant. He is expected to sit down with longtime coach Eddy Reynoso in January of next year to write down a shortlist of possible opponents.

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