In September, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez hopes to regain his world title after last year’s loss to Terence Crawford, but he warned it won’t be an effortless task.

Crawford moved up two divisions and delivered a disciplined, clever performance, defeating Canelo in twelve rounds, becoming the undisputed three-weight champion and cementing his position as one of the best fighters of his era.

For Alvarez, the loss marked the end of his dominance at 168 pounds with this, he won all four major world titles and established himself as a leading force in the division. While remaining competitive throughout, Crawford’s timing, movement and adaptability consistently hampered the Mexican star, who struggled to impose his usual pressure and punch combinations.

Crawford’s subsequent retirement dispersed the super middleweight belts and presented Canelo with a recent path back to the top. The Mexican icon has confirmed that he plans to return on September 12 against reigning WBC champion Christian Mbilla in Saudi Arabia.

Before he became champion, Mbilli proved to be one of the most hazardous contenders in the division and brought an undefeated record, aggressive style and growing momentum to the fight. His promoter, Camille Estephan, calls it “reaching” the top.

“I’ll tell you how it happens! Many say that Mbilli is the perfect style for Canelo… Christian comes in brutal and relentless. This is not a show. This is an arrival!”

A victory will not only raise Mbilla’s profile overnight, but will also cement his status as champion. He was promoted from interim to full champion when Crawford was stripped of the WBC belt, retaining the interim belt with a draw against Lester Martinez in September.

For Canelo, this means an immediate opportunity to regain his world title and prove that even after a major defeat, he remains a central figure in boxing’s elite. How the fight develops will be of great importance in the final chapter of his career.

When asked who looked like the better fighter between Vergil Ortiz Jr., Xander Zayas and Sebastian Fundora, Boots leaned towards Zayas.

“I would say Xander is a little bit better than those guys because I feel like he can do a little bit more,” Ennis said Ring Masters. “With Ortiz, you know what you’re getting. He goes straight forward.”

Ennis added that Zayas offers more variety than some of the other top names in the junior middleweight division.

“For Fundora, it’s high,” Ennis said. “I think with Xander he could do some boxing, but he also tried to rumble.

The comments come after Ennis secured a fight with Xander Zayas after months of failed negotiations for a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Boots said several false narratives were created about him during this period, particularly claims that he shunned some of his opponents.

“I think people operate my name because they think I won’t say anything,” Ennis said. “People are painting these false narratives.”

Ennis also explained why he dismissed criticism surrounding the Ortiz situation.

“Why would I turn down unification and fight for an interim fight in a weight class I’m not even in?” Ennis said. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

According to Ennis, talks to fight Ortiz dragged on through multiple proposed dates before he decided to go in a different direction.

“It was three different dates,” Ennis said. “One in March, one in April and one in May. After the third one I’m like, ‘Come on, it’s not going to happen.'”

Ennis then told his team to go after Zayas instead.

“I told them, ‘Go get Xander,'” Ennis said. “That’s another best result.”

Terence Crawford hung up his gloves overdue last year, deciding it was time for an undefeated professional campaign that spanned 257 rounds and five divisions.

After winning over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and becoming the undisputed champion of three weight classes, The 38-year-old retired at what many considered to be the perfect moment. He left a vacant place for an American star who occupies the top positions on most ranking lists.

The likes of Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney will still make their own claims, but stylistically they are more comparable to Floyd Mayweather than Crawford.

Another man who is highly tipped to be America’s next half-pound star and whose attributes can be compared to Crawford’s is Jaron Ennis. Or rather, a promoter Eddie Hearn has said his protégé is the man who will “replace Crawford”.

“I’ve seen all the top fighters. I truly believe Jaron Ennis is the number one prospect pound for pound… I think this guy is going to come through this division, move up to 160 pounds and be a three-weight world champion. I think he’s the guy to replace Terence Crawford. I think he’s that good.”

However, Crawford is not sold yet. I keep talking X he recently said that Ennis “can’t even tie my shoes.”

How he can’t even tie my shoes

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) April 30, 2026

Ennis still has time on his side. Although the fight with Crawford fell through and “Bud” moved up to super welterweight while “Boots” won his aged welterweight belts, he now made it to 154 pounds himself. He is less than two months away from fighting for the unified title against Xander Zayas.

It’s a fight that Crawford supports Ennis winning, but he said he thinks another champion in this division, Sebastian Fundora, will beat the American.

Zayas’ fight is another chance for “Boots” to step out of his compatriot’s shadow and forge his own path. At 28 years aged, fans will be watching this journey for some time to come.