Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew is backing Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to score a knockout victory over IBF, WBC light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.

Canelo, a four division world champion, is looking to capture more gold in a fifth weight class.

Last month, Canelo unified the entire super middleweight division when he knocked out Caleb Plant to unite the WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO world titles.

A few weeks later, Canelo's team would make a request to the World Boxing Council to approve a fight with WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu.

However, Makabu must first make a mandatory defense against Thabiso Mchunu - which is slated to take place in late January.

According to Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Beterbiev, Canelo has already expressed interest in fighting the Russian puncher - if the opportunity to face Makabu falls through.

The unbeaten Beterbiev, regarded for his fearsome power, has knocked out all 17 of his opponents.

But, in his most recent fights Beterbiev has proved to be hittable and his performances were not as dominant.

He displayed vulnerabilities that Bellew is confident Canelo could exploit.

“I think Canelo would stop Beterbiev, I’ve seen the warning signs there already, I’ve seen the shots that he can be hurt with," Bellew said to DAZN Boxing.

Canelo has already tested the waters at 175-pounds.

Back in 2019, he moved up by two weight divisions to score a knockout of Sergey Kovalev to capture the WBO world title. He would later vacate the belt and drop down to super middleweight.

Based on that outcome, Bellew has no concerns over Canelo's power not following him up to a higher weight class.

"[Canelo's power would carry up to light heavyweight], it did against Sergey Kovalev, if it does with Kovalev then I think it will with Beterbiev but as I said its styles make fights,” Bellew said.