Canelo Alvarez: Mexican superstar to return to fight Christian Mbili for WBC super-middleweight championship | Boxing news

Former world champion Canelo Alvarez is set to fight newly crowned super-middleweight titleholder Christian Mbili in the fall, Top Rank president Todd DuBoeuf said.

Canelo is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Terence Crawford last September, a fight that ended his reign as the undisputed super-middleweight champion.

The undefeated Mbili was promoted to WBC super-middleweight champion after Crawford retired and is gunning for a fight with one of boxing’s biggest stars in Canelo – a contest that Mbili’s promoter says will happen.

“We worked with our partners in Canada (Eye of the Tiger, which co-promotes Mbili),” said DuBoeuf. Sky Sports. “That’s the fight that’s being targeted.

“They’re talking about the fall (for it to happen).”

In addition to offering Alvarez an immediate return to world title contention, the bout will also be an enticing mix of styles. Mbili – who boasts explosive power and a reputation as one of the more aggressive fighters in the division – has been considered the perfect opponent for Canelo, whose characteristic is to counter punch his opponent’s unfortunate swings.

“I think stylistically for both guys, it’s a good fight. Canelo needs (Embele’s style). He needs a guy who’s going to come at him – that’s where he’s really great,” DuBoeuf said.

“(Canelo) has nothing to lose, only to gain. And we don’t know how many days Canelo has left.

“It’s a nice stylistic fight. You can see the styles coming together.”

Ring Magazine previously reported that the fight will headline an event of the Riyadh season and will take place in Saudi Arabia on September 12, although the date or location of the fight has not been officially confirmed.

Don’t miss Chris Billum-Smith vs Ryan Rosicky live Sky Sports June 6.