Roy Jones Jr. has declared Ryan Garcia the “new Canelo,” positioning the young fighter as boxing’s next mainstream attraction. has emphatically declared Ryan Garcia the “new Canelo,” positioning the young fighter as potentially boxing’s next mainstream attraction. This pronouncement comes just weeks after Garcia successfully defended his WBC world title earlier this month with a second-round stoppage of Conor Benn.
Jones Jr.’s comments highlight a shift in the sport as the era of Canelo Alvarez, at 36 years old and nearing retirement, starts to wane.
Roy Jones Jr. Endorses Ryan Garcia’s Rising Stardom
Garcia’s recent performance, which boosted his record to 21 knockouts from 26 victories against only two defeats, has clearly impressed the four-division world champion. The boxing world is now actively seeking a successor to Alvarez, who notably did not fight on either Cinco de Mayo or Mexican Independence Day weekend in 2026, breaking a long-standing tradition.
Roy Jones Jr. isn’t just calling Ryan Garcia a rising star; he sees him as the legitimate heir to the throne of boxing’s commercial appeal. “Ryan is the new Canelo – everybody wants to see Ryan,” Jones Jr. stated to All The Smoke Boxing, articulating a widely felt sentiment within the sport. This endorsement carries significant weight from one of boxing’s most respected figures.
Garcia’s decisive victory over Conor Benn, taking place on a date traditionally reserved for Canelo Alvarez, underscores his growing prominence. This strategic placement further solidifies his claim as a top-tier draw. The win not only retained his welterweight belt but also kept him firmly in contention for potential unification bouts.
He’s currently in the mix for future clashes against other elite fighters such as Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. Until those high-stakes encounters materialize, Garcia seems intent on maintaining an active schedule, consistently defending his WBC world title. This approach keeps him in the public eye and builds anticipation for his next move.
The Ali-Frazier Analogy for Garcia-Cruz
Beyond Garcia’s individual appeal, Jones Jr. singled out a potential matchup with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz as a must-see event, drawing a compelling comparison. “Cruz has the style – the perfect style – that you want to see against Ryan,” Jones Jr. explained.
He described Garcia as a “classic boxer-puncher” and Cruz as a “brawler-puncher,” likening the potential stylistic clash to the legendary rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
This comparison from Jones Jr. suggests an expectation of a high-octane, action-packed fight that would captivate audiences globally. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz certainly earned attention recently with his emphatic sixth-round knockout of Nestor Bravo, showcasing his aggressive, tenacious style. His relentless pressure makes him a formidable opponent for any fighter.
However, a significant hurdle in making such a fight a reality lies in the size disparity. While Cruz is indeed a powerful brawler-puncher, the 5ft 4in super-lightweight would face a glaring size disadvantage if he were to move up to 147lbs to challenge Garcia for his welterweight title. This potential weight jump presents a considerable challenge for Cruz.
Canelo Alvarez’s Evolving Role in Boxing
The conversation around a “new Canelo” inevitably draws attention to the current status of Santos Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez Barragán himself. At 36 years old, the Mexican superstar is in the twilight of an illustrious career. His absence from both the Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day weekend fight dates in 2026 marks a significant departure from his decade-long tradition.
These dates were long considered his exclusive domain, cementing his status as boxing’s premier commercial attraction. Canelo, a multiple world champion across four weight classes, has not held a world title since his loss to Terence Crawford on September 13, 2025. Following that bout, he underwent surgery on his left elbow in October 2025, contributing to his quieter year.
His upcoming challenge against Christian, still scheduled, signals his intent to remain competitive despite these changes. But the landscape of boxing is clearly shifting, prompting speculation about who will fill the void left by his eventual retirement. The sport needs a fighter who can consistently draw massive viewership and attention.
The Benavidez Debate: Another “New Canelo” Candidate?
Interestingly, Roy Jones Jr. has also frequently championed another fighter, David Benavidez, as embodying the characteristics of a highly sought-after opponent, drawing comparisons to Canelo Alvarez’s status. While his phrasing for Benavidez differs slightly, Jones Jr. has consistently highlighted the public’s strong desire to see Benavidez fight the current Mexican superstar. Jones Jr.
believes Canelo Alvarez has avoided facing David Benavidez due to Benavidez’s formidable size, relentless fighting style, and high-risk nature.
Benavidez has built an impressive resume, recently becoming a three-weight world champion. He dispatched Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez to claim the WBO and WBA cruiserweight world titles. This adds to his previous WBC super middleweight and light heavyweight straps, solidifying his reputation as a “KO artist” with a professional record of 32-0, including 26 knockouts.
Jones Jr. has been vocal about Canelo’s reluctance, suggesting Alvarez wants fans to “wait and ask and beg long enough that y’all gonna pay for it” before taking the “risky chance.” Oscar De La Hoya has echoed this sentiment, criticizing Canelo Alvarez’s legacy for reportedly refusing to face Benavidez, amplifying the calls for this highly anticipated clash.
Benavidez’s Future Prospects
David Benavidez’s trajectory suggests he is a significant force in boxing, with or without a Canelo fight. Roy Jones Jr. has even urged Benavidez to fight Oleksandr Usyk, calling it “one of the biggest fights of this decade.” Jones Jr. believes Benavidez’s aggressive style could make for an “ugly” and “50-50 fight” against Usyk, signaling a monumental challenge for both men.
Benavidez is currently ranked as The Ring’s No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter and holds the WBC light heavyweight champion title. He added Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s WBA and WBO cruiserweight straps to his collection after a dominant sixth-round stoppage win at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. His consistent pursuit of top competition underscores his ambition.
Beyond Usyk, Benavidez has also called out Dmitry Bivol, the Ring, IBF, WBA, and WBO 175-pound champion, further demonstrating his desire to test himself against the best. Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has also expressed interest in making Usyk vs. Benavidez a reality in 2027, provided Usyk defeats Rico Verhoeven. This high-level interest indicates the magnitude of Benavidez’s potential.
Boxing’s Search for its Next Marquee Name
The discussion surrounding Ryan Garcia and David Benavidez as potential successors to Canelo Alvarez highlights boxing’s perpetual need for a new generation of superstars. As established names like Alvarez, and before him Floyd Mayweather Jr., inevitably move towards retirement, the sport relies on fresh faces to capture public imagination and drive pay-per-view numbers.
Ryan Garcia, with his explosive style and social media presence, appeals strongly to a younger demographic.
Meanwhile, David Benavidez represents the more traditional, hard-hitting “KO artist” that boxing purists adore. His track record of challenging and dominating multiple weight classes makes him an undeniable force. The challenge for promoters and sanctioning bodies lies in crafting narratives and making the fights that elevate these talents into household names, mirroring the commercial success of their predecessors.
Both Garcia and Benavidez possess the raw talent and the charisma to potentially fill the enormous shoes left by Canelo. But the path to becoming the “face of boxing” requires more than just victories; it demands consistent high-profile matchups and captivating performances. This ongoing quest for boxing’s next icon underscores the dynamic nature of the sport, always evolving as new champions rise.
Ultimately, the opinions of legends like Roy Jones Jr. significantly shape the narrative around emerging talents. His comparisons, whether to Canelo or to historic rivalries like Ali-Frazier, add immense credibility and excitement to the careers of fighters like Ryan Garcia and David Benavidez. Their ability to deliver on such high expectations will determine who truly becomes the next undisputed superstar.
