Canelo On Crawford And Bivol After Mbilli Win

Canelo Alvarez controlled Christian Mbilli from first bell to last but now faces a crossroads that could define the final chapter of his career.

The Mexican star answered recent doubts with a lopsided decision victory over the previously unbeaten Mbilli, according to ESPN, reestablishing himself as the sport's top attraction after a run of underwhelming performances. The win clears the path for Alvarez to pursue either a superfight with Terence Crawford, a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, or a long-avoided showdown with David Benavidez at middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight.

Crawford Superfight Remains Priority

Alvarez has made no secret of his desire to face Crawford next, a matchup that would pit two pound-for-pound elites in a legacy-defining clash. The Crawford bout reportedly carries the biggest purse of any option on the table, though the welterweight champion would need to climb two weight classes to meet Canelo at 168 or a catchweight near it. Some observers question whether Crawford's frame can carry the necessary muscle without sacrificing the speed that makes him dangerous.

The Bivol rematch also looms. Alvarez lost a clear decision to the heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion in 2022 and has hinted at wanting that result back. Bivol remains undefeated and would likely demand the fight take place at 175 pounds, where Canelo struggled with the size disparity the first time.

Benavidez continues to call out Alvarez on social media, claiming the champion is ducking the toughest available opponent at middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight. Canelo has repeatedly dismissed those challenges, citing business reasons and suggesting Benavidez lacks the commercial appeal to justify a mega-purse split.

A decision is expected before the end of the year, with September the likeliest window for Alvarez's next ring appearance.

Reported via:

• ESPN Boxing — Canelo faces big decisions after answering questions against Mbilli