Munguia (45-2) returns on May 2 in Las Vegas against WBA super middleweight titleholder Armando Resendiz. This fight will provide him with a direct path to a return to title contention. He currently trains under Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s longtime trainer, which adds extra appeal to his achievements in the league.

Alvarez is expected to return to 168 pounds later this year following his September loss to Terence Crawford, leaving open the possibility that the two will fight for titles on separate circuits.

Their first fight in 2024 ended with a clear victory for Canelo, who defended his undisputed super middleweight title. Munguia has since made it clear that he is open to a second meeting, but only if both players return to their positions.

If Munguia wins against Resendiz on Saturday night, the student-versus-teacher storyline with Eddy Reynoso will become a powerful promotional hook.

If Resendiz wins, Canelo will be able to fight a fresh Mexican face who currently holds a world title, satisfying his desire to remain champion while also providing fans with a fan-friendly fight.

By targeting this winner, Canelo can secure a world title and a massive commercial event in Riyad or Las Vegas, while avoiding the stylistic headaches of other division titleists.

This is the definition of “secure” matchmaking, and fans tend to pick up on it quickly. If Canelo targets the May 2 winner, it will look like a business decision cloaked in competitiveness.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is scheduled to return to the ring on September 12 in Saudi Arabia, and the only official announcement so far calls it a world title fight but does not name his opponent.

Last September, Canelo lost all four of his super middleweight world titles to Terence Crawford. While Crawford has retired and scattered the belts, the Mexican icon has decided to keep fighting and has every intention of regaining one title immediately, as he recently said Grass Bear.

“I am unstoppable because I am not invincible or perfect in any way, but that doesn’t stop me from remaining excited, believing and dreaming about what is to come and that I will become world champion again.”

Christian Mbilli, who was promoted from interim WBC champion after dismantling Crawfordhas been the obvious candidate for some time, but teams on both sides have been careful not to say too much.

With that deadline approaching and the promotion proper about to begin, Canelo’s long-time trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso has now confirmed to Lance Pugmire that he indeed expects Mbilli to be in the opposite corner.

Eddy Reynoso @CANELOTEAM told me today that he expects Mbilli to be Canelo’s September opponent in Saudi Arabia, and when I asked him if Canelo wants Cinco de Mayo to return, he replied, “Yes, of course.”

— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) April 30, 2026

Mbilli won the interim title last June against Maciej Sulecki and retained it on the Canelo-Crawford ticket after drawing with Lester Martinez.

The Cameroonian and French champion has expressed great interest in fighting Canelo, rightly calling it the biggest fight he has on offer. He also said he expected a rematch with Martinez, who has since won the interim belt.

This fight, pending an official announcement, gives Canelo a chance to regain the belt he has held since 2020, when he defeated Callum Smith of Great Britain in a title fight. Time will tell if he will challenge for the undisputed title again, but if he does, he will face a recent challenge in this division. The WBA belt is now in the hands of Jose Armando Resendiz, and Cuban boxer Osleys Iglesias has taken over the IBF belt. Hamzah Sheeraz and Al Begic will face each other next month for the vacant WBO title.

Tyson Fury is considering whether to join Anthony Joshua in a warm-up fight as both fighters finalize plans for a British blockbuster.

Frank Warren told British media that Tyson Fury could fight again before his heavyweight clash with Joshua, which is scheduled to take place in the last quarter of 2026 in the UK.

Joshua, on the other hand, is already committed.

The former two-time champion will return on July 25 against Kristian Prengi. This fight has a clear purpose beyond mere actions.

After a devastating car crash in Nigeria last December that killed close friends Latz and Sina, Joshua’s decision to pull out under the lights gives him a chance to make sure he is 100 percent focused.

Following the announcement, Warren warned AJ about the interim fight, saying he “has to win this fight or it will kill the Fury fight.”

This warning alone highlights how diminutive the margin for error is today.

Furia’s decision

Fury’s situation is much different than his rival’s as the “Gypsy King” is back in the win column this year.

The former WBC champion fought back in April, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov, and does not face the same need to re-enter the organization.

His position allows him to choose whether to remain lively or to engage immediately in a decisive battle without an intermediate step.

WBN understands that Fury is expected to decide on his next move in the coming days, with plans for the UK showdown already being made behind the scenes.

That decision now shapes what happens next as the timeline begins to split between one fighter already on the move and another still considering his options.

Joshua has already made his move. Fury failed to do so, leaving the London meeting still to be finalized.

Fury vs Joshua debate

Whatever the case, and regardless of what is happening in the Fury camp, the decision to extend construction towards the long-awaited clash has already sparked debate.

Theoretically, two off-the-top heavyweights should be able to step into the ring right away without any additional complications.

If Fury does get sizzling, it will likely be a reflection of Joshua’s level rather than intent – a controlled fight against a circumscribed opponent – which again raises the same question about the entire process.

What exactly can be gained beyond the mighty dollar, and one mistake can cost both tens of millions in your pocket and potentially the fight itself.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.