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Who Could Face Canelo Alvarez Next? Seven Likely Opponents Ranked After Mbilli Victory

Saul Canelo Alvarez delivered a strong performance on Saturday, defeating former WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in Riyadh. This victory marks his return to boxing’s top tier after a 13-month break.

At 36 years old and over 20 years into his career, Canelo has only lost to the best fighters in the sport, with Terence Crawford and Dmitry Bivol handing him those defeats. But this recent win showed he still has plenty to offer in the ring.

Which fights could happen next?

A bout between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez is off the table for now. Trainer Eddy Reynoso confirmed earlier this year that fight isn’t happening. Benavidez is now a unified cruiserweight champion at 200 pounds, far above Canelo’s current weight class of 168 pounds.

There are also rumors about Jake Paul, but Paul’s upcoming fight on December 24 in Dubai against Cedric Doumbe suggests a clash with Canelo remains unlikely. That matchup feels more like a spectacle than a serious championship challenge, which doesn’t align with Canelo’s current focus on title unifications and high-level competition.

Seven possible opponents ranked from least to most likely

  • 7. Terence Crawford RematchAlthough Canelo and his team want a rematch with retired Terence Crawford, it’s doubtful Crawford will come back soon. Canelo expressed hope that Crawford returns so they can settle the score, and trainer Eddy Reynoso is eager for the fight. The challenge is convincing Crawford to risk his unbeaten record for a second match, especially since Canelo can only offer a portion of the titles and possibly less pay than before.
  • 6. Chris Eubank Jr. at Wembley StadiumThis long-discussed fight ranks lower now because Eubank appeared worn down in his last loss to Conor Benn. If Eubank had won their rivalry, he might have been a bigger draw in the UK market for Canelo. Currently, Eubank is more likely to face smaller names than Canelo. Alternatives like Benn or Ben Whittaker could be considered, but it’s unclear if these fights would fill stadiums.
  • 5. Osleys Iglesias for IBF UnificationCuban southpaw Osleys Iglesias holds the IBF super middleweight title and wants a fight with Canelo. He would bring a world title to the ring, offering a unification chance. Iglesias is known for his counterpunching and power, posing a real threat despite limited commercial appeal. Iglesias doubts Canelo would accept the challenge, but he could be the toughest super middleweight champion for Alvarez.
  • 4. Janibek Alimkhanuly or Jacob Bank for WBO TitleThe vacant WBO super middleweight belt will be decided on January 23, 2027, between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Jacob Bank in Denmark. Either winner could be an opponent for Canelo next year. Alimkhanuly is a southpaw with championship experience, while Bank is less established. Both bring a legitimate challenge, though neither matches others here in legacy or commercial draw.
  • 3. Dmitry Bivol RematchCanelo lost to Bivol at light heavyweight in 2022. Bivol used a smart jab-heavy style to outpoint Alvarez. Bivol has suggested he'd take a rematch even at 168 pounds to prove himself in Canelo’s preferred division, but Canelo prefers a fight at light heavyweight again. This fight could happen but seems complicated by weight class preferences and timing.
  • 2. Lester Martinez for WBC Consolidation in MexicoIf Canelo stays at super middleweight, fighting interim WBC champion Lester Martinez makes sense to unify belts. Martinez was ringside when Canelo won the WBC regular title recently. This matchup could bring Canelo back to Mexico, possibly at the massive Estadio Azteca, a venue known for historic fights and large crowds.
  • 1. Hamzah Sheeraz in RiyadhWith one fight left on his Saudi Arabia deal, facing Hamzah Sheeraz seems the most logical next step. Sheeraz has fought multiple Saudi-backed cards and earned support from Turki Alalshikh, a key promoter linked to both fighters. His knockout of Edgar Berlanga last year boosted his standing, making this an appealing option for Canelo to close out his agreement.

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