Canelo Alvarez is set to challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight world title upon his September return and whilst many fans are anticipating an intriguing fight, 168lb rival Hamzah Sheeraz is expecting a statement stoppage.
A two-time undisputed ruler of the division, Canelo lost all four of his super-middleweight belts to Terence Crawford in an upset defeat back in September, but the 35-year-old is wasting no time trying to reclaim them and is expected to challenge the newly crowned Mbilli next.
Following Crawford’s retirement, Canelo’s former opponent and current stablemate, Jaime Munguia, has since dethroned Jose Armando Resendiz to get his hands on the WBA title, whilst Osleys Iglesias knocked out Pavel Silyagin last month to become the IBF super-middleweight world champion.
As for the WBO strap, Sheeraz takes on Alem Begic at the end of the month in a vacant title showdown, seeking to tee up a unification clash with Mexican superstar, Canelo, for 2027.
Speaking to The Ring, Sheeraz appeared to have no concerns that Canelo would be unsuccessful in handing Mbilli a first defeat, predicting an early knockout win for the pound-for-pound veteran.
“I believe that he knocks Mbilli out within six rounds. Styles make fights at the end of the day.
“No disrespect to Mbilli; great champion, great fighter, but I believe that Canelo knocks him out within six rounds, only because styles make fights.”
Sheeraz-Begic will take place on the Usyk-Verhoeven undercard next Saturday, whilst Canelo-Mbilli is currently being touted for Saturday, September 12, in Saudi Arabia, atop a potential ‘Mexico vs The World’ bill.
