Saul Canelo Alvarez has been linked to the likes of Jaime Munguia, David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo in 2024. However, a new contender has now emerged and promised that he will do everything he can to enforce the clash with the pound-for-pound superstar.
Many fans feared that Canelo’s time at the top was coming to a close, after a loss to Dmitry Bivol was followed up with below-par performances against Gennady Golovkin and John Ryder.
Still, the potential showdown with David Benavidez continues to be named as most fans’ must-happen fight during 2024, but WBC and WBA number one contender Christian Mbilli told of his plans to hijack that, after the Frenchman’s knockout over Rohan Murdock this weekend.
The future's bright for Mbilli. pic.twitter.com/MDwr9JPb4v
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
“Tonight, I have sent a message. I am THE fighter in the division, I am the future of the division, that was the message today. Canelo is the best, everyone knows that Canelo is the best, now I want to show that I am the best in the division. That is why my goal is to fight Canelo. I will do everything that I can do to fight to fight Canelo. Let’s go.”
Benavidez’s position as WBC Interim Champion and mandatory challenger makes it tough in envisage a route for Mbilli to land the fight, unless he manages to defeat Benavidez before he gets his chance with Canelo.
Despite the demand for the Benavidez fight, it appears that Jaime Munguia is likely to be Canelo’s next opponent in May, with Benavidez touted to face the champion in September in another all-Mexican affair.