Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is due to return to the ring in September after losing to Terence Crawford late last year.
The unanimous decision defeat saw Canelo surrender his four super-middleweight world titles. Crawford announced his retirement from the sport as an undefeated, five-weight world champion months later. He had been stripped of the WBC belt and vacated the rest.
Christian Mbilli has since been upgraded to full WBC champion after retaining his interim belt against Lester Martinez – who also fights under trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre with Crawford – on the Canelo-Crawford undercard.
When Mbilli was crowned, Crawford stood by his stablemate, insisting Martinez should have been given the nod and is the rightful champion.
Though Mbilli has said he is open to a rematch with Martinez, he is now the frontrunner to land the Canelo comeback fight.
Speaking to La Hora del Boxeo, Martinez looked ahead to that match-up and said he will be ready and waiting for the winner.
“Canelo could win, Mbilli could win. Fighting either of those two would benefit me a lot. We’ll be ready to win.”
First up is Immanuwel Aleem – Martinez’s second attempt in a row at the WBC interim belt. Should he come through the American tonight in California, topping a Pro Box TV card, he will secure that prime position. Crawford has recently been in camp with the 30-year-old from Guatemala to help him prepare, and will undoubtedly do the same if the Canelo fight is made down the line.
