Canelo Alvarez is set to face William Scull in May, and Terence Crawford in September, but his multi-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh includes one more fight, which may be decided this year.
Canelo Alvarez is set to make his second successful bid for the undisputed super-middleweight titles as he faces William Scull on Cinco De Mayo weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Canelo seemed set to face YouTuber Jake Paul in a huge crossover clash until Turki Alalshikh struck a deal with the pound-for-pound Mexican star at the eleventh hour, reportedly offering him a multi-fight deal which included the Scull and Crawford fights, as well as another that has not been finalized.
It has now been announced negotiations are underway between two impressive names in the division, with the winner likely taking the spot against Canelo, who recently punched Mexican influencer Pablo Chavira.
Christian Mbilli versus Diego Pacheco will pave the way for mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez
It has been reported that 28-0 Christian Mbilli will take on 23-0 Diego Pacheco in a super-middleweight clash that will potentially determine Canelo’s future.
Mbilli is coming off a dominant KO over Britain’s Mark Heffron, and, more recently, a unanimous decision victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
Pacheco, whose brother recently fought someone 80 pounds lighter than him, is coming off career-best performances over Maciej Sulecki, who he stopped in the sixth round, and previously undefeated Steve Nelson, who he beat by unanimous decision.
Mbilli and Scull were both frontrunners to face Canelo for his May day fight, according to Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso.
Canelo Alvarez may fight the winner of Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn instead
An alternate option for Canelo’s third fight in the Saudi deal is the winner of April’s domestic dust-up between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr.
The fight will see the two Brits extend their fathers’ legacy in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in what may be one of the biggest British fights in quite some time.
Though many have ridiculed Alalshikh’s desire to see the winner face Canelo, as they believe the Mexican is levels above the both of them, it would prove to be a big name in what cannot be denied is the closing chapter of Alvarez’s career.
The only other opponents that make sense are David Benavidez, who seems to be set on light-heavyweight greatness in his new gym following Canelo’s hesitance to fight him, or a rematch with Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight titles, though this, too, seems unlikely.