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.

In his last fight last November, Benavidez defended the WBC lithe heavyweight championship, defeating Anthony Yarde in the 7th round. This will be his first cruiserweight fight and it will be the biggest jump you can make in terms of maximum weight limits – 25 pounds between the 175-pound lithe heavyweight limit and the 200-pound cruiserweight limit.

For Ramirez, his last fight came last June when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Yuniel Dorticos to defend his unified cruiserweight title. Since moving up to cruiserweight, Ramirez is on a four-fight winning streak. The only defeat of his professional career came at 175 against reigning lithe heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol.

Who will win the upcoming cruiserweight championship clash between David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez?

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