Three potential next opponents for Canelo after winning back his WBC crown

On October 31, at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Canelo Alvarez faced WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli. Their world-title showdown headlined a Riyadh Season fight card, live on DAZN pay-per-view or as part of the Ultimate package. Many wondered what Canelo had left after being out of the ring for 13 months since losing his undisputed crown to Terence Crawford. However, the Mexican proved he had enough to record a relatively comfortable unanimous decision and regain his WBC crown. Big Fight Weekend now looks at three potential next opponents for the Mexican.

Canelo Alvarez defeats Christian Mbilli to win WBC crown

Coming to the ring as the challenger was a rarity for Canelo Alvarez (64-3-2, 39 KOs), but that’s what he did do at The Venue, in Riyadh. However, despite the 13 months out of the ring since the defeat to Crawford, Canelo was the sharper of the two. Mbilli (29-1-1, 24 KOs) also hadn’t fought since drawing with Lester Martinez on the Crawford-Canelo undercard, and struggled to close the distance in the early rounds. 

Scoring the fight, I had it 3-3 after six rounds, but then Canelo’s accuracy and experience shone through, as he pulled away in the middle to late rounds. Mbilli also lost a point in round eight for punching behind the head, which prompted Canelo to complain to the referee, who then deducted a point from the Cameroonian-born fighter. There’s no doubt Canelo’s counterpunching is not as sharp as it used to be, but it was still sharp enough to beat Mbilli to the punch on most occasions.

Alvarez often made Mbilli miss throughout the fight, but the WBC champ did apply more pressure in the final few rounds; it was too little, too late as Canelo cruised to a unanimous decision, with scorecards of 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112. Canelo is once again the WBC super middleweight champion. 

When asked in the ring about what’s next: “I’m gonna rest. I’m gonna keep learning,” Alvarez said. “I’m gonna keep working hard and right now I’m gonna take a couple of weeks off and then come back.”

While Alvarez has said repeatedly that he would love nothing more than a chance to avenge his loss to the currently retired Crawford, after the bout he did not get into his future ring plans or potential opponents for what would be the fourth and final fight of the deal he has with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh.

Hamzah Sheeraz

Hamzah Sheeraz (24-0-1, 19 KOs) was the WBO super middleweight champion, but elected to vacate his title instead of facing his mandatory, Janibek Alimkhanuly.

It felt like a strange move to many, but with Canelo’s win and Sheeraz’s close relationship with Turki Alalshikh, it feels like a Canelo vs Sheeraz fight could really be next. Should this fight happen, Sheeraz will pose a complex puzzle with his height and reach advantage. However, he is there to be hit, and Canelo’s body punching is still of a high standard, and it would be a tough fight to call. 

Osleys Iglesias

Osleys Iglesias (16-0, 15 KOs) is a bad man! He won the IBF super middleweight title, stopping Pavel Silyagin, before defending his title against Oliver Zaren, stopping him in round seven. He is not like your typical Cuban fighter. He excels in close quarters, where he is able to put his power combinations together.

He will pose a physical threat to Canelo, one many thought Mbilli would, but Iglesias poses a one-punch knockout threat. Could he be the man to knock Canelo down, or would the Mexican’s ring IQ be enough for him to win back the IBF title?

The winner of Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Jacob Bank

On January 23, 2027, Jacob Bank (20-0, 11 KOs) will face Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) at the Forum in Horsens, with the vacant WBO super middleweight title on the line. Alimkhanuly has made it look relatively plain sailing during his professional career so far, but four days before a scheduled bout with Erislandy Lara, Janibek tested positive for meldonium. He was subsequently stripped of his IBF title, while the WBO suspended him for a year but allowed him to keep the belt.

The WBO then made the decision to terminate his suspension and ordered him to face Hamzah Sheeraz, who vacated, with Jacob Bank now stepping in to fight for the vacant belt. If the Kazakh fighter can overcome Bank, he will present a live opponent for Canelo Alvarez. He is adept at drawing out opponents with his footwork and punishing opponents’ mistakes. His defence is razor-sharp, and he’s difficult to pin down. Janibek’s lead hand is effective at helping him control the distance and launch attacks. He has the arsenal to trouble Canelo. Bank has impressive lateral movement and puts his punches together well. He would also be a worthy adversary for Canelo.

The Big Fight Weekend verdict

Whoever Canelo fights next, it’s clear the Mexican is still a wily opponent who has so much experience and still carries plenty of pop in his punches. Looking at the options we have identified here, alongside others mentioned, such as Jaron “Boots” Ennis and a rematch against Terence Crawford or Dmitry Bivol, with Turki Alalashikh’s involvement, I find it even more difficult to understand Sheeraz’s decision to vacate unless he has been given a positive indication that the Canelo fight is on the table.

The Brit has plenty of characteristics which could trouble Canelo Alvarez, but the Mexican has so much experience, and will believe his defence and counterpunching will trouble Sheeraz, and see Canelo win by decision once again. That will be our pick for Canelo’s final fight on his agreement with Turki.

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