While having named Terence Crawford his ideal opponent, Canelo Alvarez has also highlighted a more realistic fight that could materialise if he dethrones Christian Mbilli.
The two super-middleweights will square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, later today, with Mbilli making a first defence of his WBC world title.
He was elevated from ‘interim’ to full champion last December, just a few months after boxing to an enthralling 10-round draw with Lester Martinez.
That same night, Canelo lost his undisputed crown to Crawford, who had moved up two weight divisions and scored a career-defining unanimous decision victory.
The American then announced his retirement – hence why Mbilli was upgraded to full champion – yet Canelo remains hopeful that a rematch can nonetheless be explored.
Alternatively, though, the Mexican would also be open to a second encounter with Dmitry Bivol, who won their first contest via a comprehensive unanimous decision in 2022.
Since then, the Russian has gone on to become the undisputed king at 175lbs, with his majority decision triumph over Artur Beterbiev arriving in February 2025.
Following a wide points victory over Michael Eifert earlier this year, Bivol will now defend his three belts against Callum Smith on December 12.
If he emerges triumphant in Russia, then the 35-year-old could enter a rematch with Canelo, who has told Stephen A. Smith that this would certainly appeal to him in 2027.
“Outside of Terence Crawford, I think Bivol is a fight I really like.”
While Canelo must first get past Mbilli, it also remains to be seen whether he would go back up to 175lbs or attempt to bring Bivol down to a catchweight of some description.
The Russian has named a rematch with Alvarez as of his top three options alongside a trilogy with Beterbiev and a clash with David Benavidez.
