Canelo Alvarez is set to challenge for the WBC super-middleweight world title next month, looking to re-establish himself as the man to beat in the 168lb division. World-renowned trainer Robert Garcia has laid out his prediction for the fight, as well as what the future might hold.
Canelo became the first undisputed world champion in the history of the super-middleweight division when he finished off an eleven-month run of collecting belts by knocking out Caleb Plant back in 2021. He defended his four belts on five occasions.
Alvarez then dropped the IBF super-middleweight crown but soon trumped William Scull to win it back and become a two-time undisputed ruler, before losing all four of his belts to Terence Crawford in an iconic showdown 12 months ago. Crawford retired shortly afterwards, scattering the titles.
Since then, Canelo has been sidelined due to an elbow injury, whilst Mbilli has been elevated from interim status to full WBC world champion, with former opponent Lester Martinez taking his place as Interim titleholder.
Robert Garcia – who trains the likes of Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Vergil Ortiz Jr – recently told YSM Sports Media that he believes Canelo will win his title back against Mbilli, before outlining his hopes to see Canelo take on Guatemala’s Martinez at the near 90,000-capacity Estadio Azteca.
“I think that Canelo does have enough to beat Mbilli and then Canelo versus Lester [Martinez] would be one of the biggest fights in history, it is two countries against each other, two countries that are going to celebrate a big event in a huge soccer stadium – that would be huge.
“From what I understand, they want Canelo at Estadio Azteca. Imagine him versus Lester at the Estadio Azteca, it would be unbelievable.”
The Estadio Azteca has twice staged boxing events, first hosting Vicente Saldivar’s unified featherweight title defence against Howard Winstone in 1965 and then Julio Cesar Chavez’s famous victory over Greg Haugen in front of a record-breaking 132,247 spectators in 1993.
Martinez, following his latest stoppage win over Luka Plantic, made no secret of his desire to face the winner of Mbilli-Canelo.
