Canelo Alvarez has been called out by a top super-middleweight contender ahead of his world title shot against Christian Mbilli.
The 36-year-old has not fought since last September, back when he lost his undisputed crown via a unanimous decision verdict against Terence Crawford.
While favoured by many to emerge victorious, given his natural size advantage, Canelo was ultimately outclassed, at times, by his more dynamic and skilful opponent.
But instead of calling time on his decorated career, the Mexican is now bidding to reclaim a quarter of his 168lb undisputed championship against France’s unbeaten Mbilli.
Featuring on the Canelo-Crawford card, Mbilli boxed to a 10-round draw against Lester Martinez and was subsequently elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion.
Like Alvarez, the 31-year-old has not fought since that night in Las Vegas, but will nonetheless make a first defence of his title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31.
Martinez, meanwhile, is gearing up to defend his WBC interim title against fellow unbeaten contender Luka Plantic, headlining a ProBox TV show in Los Angeles this weekend.
If he emerges triumphant, the 30-year-old has told Fight Hub TV that he would gladly face Canelo or Mbilli, just so long as he secures a shot at the full WBC belt.
“I want both fights, to be honest. Everyone saw the original fight [with Mbilli] and they obviously want the rematch.
“But the Canelo fight – he’s a [big] name, and the people will watch it. We [would] be in the opposite corner, so the world will eventually see what’s going to happen.”
If Martinez retains his status as the WBC’s mandatory challenger, then the winner of Mbilli-Canelo could soon be ordered to face him.
