Canelo Alvarez’s longtime trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso, has effectively dismissed the likes of David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol as potential opponents.
Instead, the Mexican is set to face a super-middleweight world champion in his next outing, which takes place in Saudi Arabia on September 12.
This will mark his first assignment since losing a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford, who relieved him of his undisputed crown in September 2025.
It was an exceptional performance that saw Crawford move up two weight divisions and dethrone Alvarez, shortly before calling time on his glittering career.
But now, it appears that Canelo is determined to reclaim at least one of his major titles at 168lbs, with WBC champion Christian Mbilli representing a possible option.
Two fighters that have been removed from the equation, meanwhile, are Benavidez and Bivol, the respective WBC and unified world champions at 175lbs.
Since losing a unanimous decision to Bivol in 2022, Canelo has repeatedly expressed an openness to enter a light-heavyweight rematch with the Russian.
As for Benavidez, who challenges unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez on May 2, Alvarez has been far less vocal about their much-talked about encounter.
Team Canelo, however, have now reached a stage where neither champion is included in their plan, as Reynoso has told Elie Seckbach that the 35-year-old will instead remain at 168lbs.
As mentioned, WBC champion Mbilli seems like the frontrunner, while the winner of Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic – which takes place for the vacant WBO title on May 23 – could also emerge as a potential option for Alvarez.
