QUITE REMARKABLY, Terence Crawford climbed up two weight divisions on Saturday and not only toppled Canelo Alvarez, the then-168lb king, but delivered a performance that will be widely celebrated and revered in years to come.
That he did so in largely dominant fashion, too, only adds to an increasingly compelling argument that ‘Bud’ is, on a pound-for-pound scale, the finest boxer of this generation.
But while he remains entitled to hold onto his belts, even if just for a short while longer, the three-division undisputed champion is eventually expected to search elsewhere for his next blockbuster assignment.
Should such events transpire, with four world titles suddenly becoming vacant, then it is equally likely that a series of appealing super-middleweight matchups will arrive shortly after.
With that in mind, it is worth taking a closer look at the division and, more specifically, identify who are the likely candidates to fight for world honours.
Christian Mbilli vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Featuring on the Canelo-Crawford bill over the weekend was Christian Mbilli, whose enthralling 10-round draw with Lester Martinez saw him retain his WBC ‘interim’ title.
As a result, the high-volume puncher could quite easily be ordered to face Hamzah Sheeraz, the WBC’s leading contender, should Crawford’s green and gold strap become vacant.
Sheeraz has, of course, been promised a clash with Canelo, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), albeit prior to the Mexican losing his belts, for early 2026.
But while that fight, as previously endorsed by Turki Alalshikh, may still materialise, there is now a clear route, and indeed an enticing one, that could lead Sheeraz towards a second world title shot.
Diego Pacheco vs Jaime Munguia
Behind Sheeraz, Diego Pacheco and Jaime Munguia are the WBO’s two leading contenders at 168lbs.
It must be said, though, that there remains an element of controversy attached to Munguia’s name, as while, technically, he is now clear to fight, the positive results of his drugs tests earlier this year are nonetheless likely to linger in the minds of fans.
That said, the former world champion is expected to be welcomed back with open arms, perhaps even just in time to land himself a meaningful clash with Pacheco.
As a fight, there is much to get excited about, but with regards to whether it should happen – that is another question altogether.
Osleys Iglesias vs Callum Simpson
Osleys Iglesias, who is widely regarded as the ‘boogeyman’ at 168lbs, has put himself in pole position for an IBF title shot after securing an eighth-round finish over Vladimir Shishkin earlier this month.
His mandatory status, in that sense, seems pretty firm, while a selection of the remaining contenders, all ranked by the IBF, could just as easily bolster their lofty positions with the other three sanctioning bodies.
That, then, could leave Callum Simpson, the organisation’s fifth-ranked fighter, with an unexpected title shot, as with just Munguia and Iglesias placed ahead of him, the Barnsley man is perhaps closer to world honours than we might have thought.
Jose Resendiz vs Bektemir Melikuziev
As is the case in several divisions, there just so happens to be a WBA ‘interim’ champion, Jose Resendiz, as well as a WBA mandatory challenger, Bektemir Melikuziev, at 168lbs.
With both titles serving the same purpose, it only makes sense that the pair should square off for Crawford’s black and gold strap – if it becomes vacant, that is.
In such a case, fans would likely be treated to a thrilling barnstormer, with Resendiz, who comes off a stunning win over Caleb Plant, representing an unpredictable customer, while Melikuziev, too, never shies away from a classic phone booth-style battle.
