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WBC Convention Reveals Next Fights for Canelo Alvarez, Naoya Inoue, David Benavidez and Others

The 64th annual WBC convention in Acapulco, Mexico, brought a wave of updates about top boxers and upcoming bouts. The sanctioning body took a close look at all divisions on Wednesday, revealing key matchups and ranking changes.

Jai Opetaia’s Cruiserweight Position

On Tuesday, the WBA (Regular) cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia made a move to vacate his secondary title after securing the No. 2 spot in the WBC cruiserweight rankings. This adjustment was approved, setting him up as the mandatory challenger for the victor of the three-belt unification fight between David Benavidez and Michal Cieslak scheduled for December 5. Benavidez aims to face Opetaia in May before targeting a high-profile clash with Oleksandr Usyk in September.

Naoya Inoue’s Potential Superfight

Undisputed super bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue, currently ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound by Uncrowned, is negotiating a major superfight with Jesse Bam Rodriguez, who ranks No. 4 pound-for-pound. This matchup could happen early in 2027. Meanwhile, Junto Nakatani, who lost to Inoue this past May, has been ordered to fight Ramon Cardenas for the WBC interim belt, likely in Japan come February.

Canelo Alvarez’s Return and Possible Opponent

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez's trainer, Eddy Reynoso, announced that Canelo will fight in Saudi Arabia this March, marking the final bout of his four-fight deal with Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh. New WBC light heavyweight champion Willy Hutchinson is a possible opponent for this return fight. The WBC hasn’t yet ruled on the light heavyweight division but is expected to do so soon. Matchroom, representing Ben Whittaker, wants Whittaker to be Hutchinson's first mandatory challenger following Whittaker's anticipated February fight against Lyndon Arthur.

Rankings and Mandatories in Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Divisions

Despite nearly two years away from the ring, Artur Beterbiev retains the No. 1 contender spot in the light heavyweight division according to the WBC. In the middleweight division, Carlos Adames returns Saturday to face Gerome Warburton. If victorious, he must defend his title against Meirim Nursultanov, then unify against interim champion Jesus Ramos Jr.

Super Lightweight to Welterweight Updates

Dalton Smith, WBC super lightweight champ, got approval for a voluntary defense planned for summer at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium. Afterward, he must face interim champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. WBC lightweight champ William Zepeda is set to defend his belt against interim titleholder Jadier Herrera on March 13 in Mexico, as confirmed by Golden Boy Promotions.

In welterweight action, Arnold Barboza Jr. and Oscar Duarte will vie for the WBC silver welterweight title in Anaheim on January 23. Brandon Adams, the No. 1 super welterweight contender, will appear on the undercard in either an interim title fight or a final eliminator. Charles Conwell will also be part of that card.

Bantamweight Mandatories

Lastly, Britain’s Andrew Cain has been named mandatory challenger to WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue, adding more intrigue to the bantamweight division.

  • Jai Opetaia: Vacates WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title; becomes No. 2 in WBC cruiserweight rankings; mandatory challenger for Benavidez vs. Cieslak winner.
  • David Benavidez: Scheduled to fight Cieslak on Dec. 5; plans fight with Opetaia in May; targets Oleksandr Usyk in September.
  • Naoya Inoue: Negotiating superfight with Jesse Bam Rodriguez for early 2027; No. 1 pound-for-pound.
  • Junto Nakatani: Ordered to fight Ramon Cardenas for WBC interim belt in February.
  • Canelo Alvarez: Returning in March in Saudi Arabia; possible opponent Willy Hutchinson.
  • Ben Whittaker: Promoted by Matchroom; expected to fight Lyndon Arthur in February; potential mandatory challenger for Hutchinson.
  • Artur Beterbiev: Maintains No. 1 contender status in light heavyweight despite long layoff.
  • Carlos Adames: Must defend title vs. Meirim Nursultanov after Saturday's fight; followed by consolidation fight vs. Jesus Ramos Jr.
  • Dalton Smith: Granted voluntary defense in summer; then must face Isaac Pitbull Cruz.
  • William Zepeda: Defends lightweight title vs. Jadier Herrera on March 13 in Mexico.
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Oscar Duarte: WBC silver welterweight title fight on January 23 in Anaheim.
  • Brandon Adams: No. 1 super welterweight contender; fighting on January 23 undercard.
  • Andrew Cain: Named mandatory challenger for WBC bantamweight champ Takuma Inoue.

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