Saul “Canelo” Alvarez dominated Christian Mbilli via unanimous decision in Riyadh, securing a decisive victory that ends a 13-month hiatus and reaffirms his status as a top-tier contender. The 36-year-old Mexican star displayed sharp technical precision, effectively neutralizing the former WBC super middleweight champion to protect his legacy. This performance underscores that despite his age, Alvarez remains a formidable force capable of outclassing elite opposition, having previously fallen only to Terence Crawford and Dmitry Bivol in recent years.
With Benavidez off the table, here is the realistic path for the 36-year-old legend.
The immediate future of Alvarez’s career is now defined by the definitive end of the David Benavidez rivalry. Trainer Eddy Reynoso confirmed earlier this year that the matchup is dead, a reality cemented by Benavidez’s current status as a unified cruiserweight champion. The significant weight disparity between Benavidez’s 200-pound division and Alvarez’s super middleweight class makes a crossover bout logistically and competitively unviable. Consequently, the sport’s most anticipated super-fight is no longer a prospect, forcing Alvarez to look elsewhere for his next major challenge.
With the Benavidez door closed, attention turns to the remaining contenders in the super middleweight division. Analysts and insiders are now ranking the seven most likely opponents who can offer both a competitive threat and a massive pay-per-view draw. These potential matchups must balance Alvarez’s desire for a meaningful fight against the commercial realities of boxing’s elite tier. As Alvarez nears the twilight of his career, selecting the right opponent is crucial to maintaining his dominance and legacy in the sport.
Source: Yahoo Sports
