Canelo Alvarez has reclaimed his position atop the super-middleweight division after recapturing the WBC world title, and former two-division champion Tim Bradley has identified the opponent he believes should be next for the Mexican star.
Alvarez outpointed Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, rebounding from his defeat to Terence Crawford to regain the 168-pound throne 13 months after losing the undisputed crown to “Bud.” Reports indicate the four-division champion could return as early as February for what would be the final bout on his current Riyadh Season contract.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bradley proposed that Alvarez face reigning WBC interim champion Lester Martinez, who trains under Crawford’s coach, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre.
“One name [Canelo should fight] is Lester Martinez and I am pushing Lester Martinez because he is a little younger and he got the perfect style for you; aggressive, can punch a little bit, can box a little bit.
“He fought Mbilli, they went toe-to-toe, Lester Martinez ain’t scared. He won’t be scared of you, trust me, and he will not be trying to outbox you. Lester Martinez is going to come and bring it.
“I love the Mexico-Guatemala thing here. I love the BoMac and [Eddy] Reynoso, I love that fight between the trainers. These trainers have got egos too, they all want to win and the last time Reynoso faced against BoMac and his team, he lost.
“I know he wanna get some get-back, so that is an ever bigger storyline right here! Crawford has got the remedy to beat Canelo Alvarez and that is the best way to get back at Crawford, get back at BoMac and his team.”
Guatemala’s Martinez has defended his WBC interim belt twice in 2026, outpointing Immanuwel Aleem and stopping Luka Plantic to preserve his unbeaten 22-fight record. The WBC has not yet designated him as mandatory challenger.