Canelo Alvarez already has one world title opportunity ahead of him but has now been called out by another belt-holder.
Alvarez is set to compete later this year when he challenges WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli, marking the first time the Mexican superstar has been back in the ring since his defeat to Terence Crawford last September.
The bout between Canelo and Mbilli was originally scheduled for September 12, but it was reported over the weekend that it has now been pushed back until late October, meaning it will have been over 13 months since Alvarez last fought when he does return.
If victorious in that bout, Canelo may choose to go after the other world titles at 168lbs, but he is also being targeted by the current WBC interim champion.
That man is Lester Martinez, the hard-hitting Guatemalan star who trained alongside Terence Crawford while ‘Bud’ was still active, and who currently holds an unbeaten record of 20 wins and 1 draw, 16 wins by knockout.
Martinez is set to be in action on August 29 when he takes on Luka Plantic in Los Angeles, and he told ProBox TV that he wants the Canelo vs. Mbilli winner next.
“First and foremost I’m going to focus on the task at hand that’s Luca because he’s a very dangerous fighter and a very good fighter, but of course I’m going to be watching with a close eye on the fight between Canelo and Mbilli, and hoping to get whoever wins that fight.”
Martinez already faced Mbilli on the Canelo vs. Crawford card last year, with the pair fighting to a split decision draw, and despite there being a score to settle, he would no doubt much prefer a lucrative opportunity against Canelo.
