Terence Crawford-backed interim champion coming for Canelo ‘dream’ fight after Mbilli win

Canelo Alvarez Aims at Crawford After Earning Rematch in Quest for WBC Super‑Middleweight Crown

Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super‑middleweight championship by defeating Christian Mbilli on Saturday night, and the reigning WBC Interim champion has expressed interest in confronting the Mexican superstar.

Alvarez lost the WBC super‑middleweight belt to Crawford last September, when the latter retained his Interim title in a draw with Lester Martínez at the co‑main event. 

After retiring and vacating his titles, Mbilli was crowned full world champion and emerged as a direct target for Canelo, who secured a unanimous decision victory on Saturday to reclaim his crown.

Martinez, coached by Crawford’s Brian McIntyre and a frequent sparring partner of the pound‑for‑pound phenom, was later appointed WBC Interim champion and has defended the belt by defeating Immanuel Aleem and Luka Plantic in 2026.

“My dream now is to fight Canelo because he is the champion.”

Alvarez appears to have a single bout remaining under his Riyadh Season contract and is already being linked to a potential return in the spring.

Martinez hopes to be officially named Alvarez’s opponent, while David Benavidez failed to secure a matchup with Canelo during his interim championship reign.

Canelo is targeting a rematch with Crawford despite the American’s retirement.

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