Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will return to the ring on Cinco De Mayo weekend in May 2025. The opponent for his next fight remains undecided, sparking speculation about who will face the Mexican superstar.
Canelo holds three of the four super-middleweight world titles. He recently defended these belts with a points victory over Edgar Berlanga, though he lost his undisputed status when the IBF stripped him of their title. With 65 fights under his belt, Canelo continues to attract big paydays and fan interest.
Several names have emerged as potential opponents. Fans have called for fights with David Benavidez and Terence Crawford. Chris Eubank Jr could be in the mix if he wins his upcoming bout this weekend. Dmitry Bivol, one of only two men to defeat Canelo, is another possibility depending on the outcome of his October 12 fight against Artur Beterbiev.
Veteran promoter Bob Arum, at 92 years old, has thrown another name into the hat: Christian Mbilli. The 29-year-old French-Cameroonian fighter boasts a 27-0 record with 23 knockouts. He's currently ranked as the number one contender by both the WBC and WBA for the super middleweight crown.
Arum shared his thoughts on social media:
"Christian Mbilli is now the number one contender by the WBC & WBA for the super middleweight crown held by Canelo Alvarez. An Mbilli fight against Canelo in May would be a tremendously exciting spectacle, since Mbilli is an all-action, nonstop puncher."
The promoter has previously stated his belief that Mbilli could defeat Canelo in what he thinks would be "a really good fight."
Mbilli's last outing was a points win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko in August. He's held youth and international belts at middleweight before moving up to 168 pounds. Fans can watch highlights of Mbilli's recent performances on ESPN+.
Despite the options, Canelo has expressed interest in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. Bivol handed Canelo one of his only two losses, the other coming against Floyd Mayweather. The outcome of Bivol's upcoming fight with Artur Beterbiev on October 12 could influence Canelo's decision.
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Ultimately, the choice of opponent rests with Canelo himself. He'll make the announcement when he's ready, likely after the Bivol-Beterbiev fight in October. Boxing fans will have to wait and see who steps up to challenge one of the sport's biggest stars next May.