“Canelo is a true competitor. It was great to see him last week. He’s excited. He’s excited to fight again,” Hearn said to Fight Hub TV. “And it’s a tough fight. It’s a tough fight to come back to. And by the way, if you are finished, you get beat in that fight.”

The comments stood out because much of the early reaction to the September 12 bout focused on whether Canelo should have pursued a bigger-name opponent.

The discussion also comes at a time when Canelo admitted frustration over missed Terence Crawford rematch, adding another layer to the scrutiny surrounding his late‑career decisions. Instead, Hearn believes Mbilli represents a legitimate threat, especially for a fighter entering the later stages of his career.

Mbilli continues earning respect before Canelo fight

Mbilli enters the fight unbeaten and widely recognized as one of the most aggressive pressure fighters in the super middleweight division. The Canadian-based contender has repeatedly argued that he presents a more dangerous challenge than several opponents Canelo has faced in recent years.

Hearn appeared to support that view while discussing the upcoming matchup, emphasizing that Mbilli’s style could create serious problems if Canelo is no longer performing at his peak level. “It’s a really good fight, and I’m looking forward to seeing Canelo back in the ring,” Hearn added.

Canelo remains motivated despite growing scrutiny

Canelo has dismissed suggestions that he is searching for easier fights following years of championship bouts across multiple weight divisions. The Mexican star recently described Mbilli as a champion-level opponent capable of delivering an entertaining fight for boxing fans.

If Canelo still has plenty left in the tank, he should handle the challenge. But if age and wear have finally started catching up to him, Mbilli may be the type of fighter capable of making that impossible to hide.

“That’s sad, because I think the people deserve the rematch,” Canelo said while speaking to reporters, according to Ring Magazine. “But things happen and I am going to look forward to my career.”

Crawford retired in December after defeating Canelo by unanimous decision while moving up two weight classes to capture the undisputed super middleweight championship.

The loss marked one of the toughest moments of Canelo’s career, though the Mexican star admitted the fight taught him valuable lessons heading into the next stage of his career, while Crawford recently said he believes Canelo still has something to prove.

Canelo shifts focus to Mbilli fight

With the Crawford chapter likely closed, Canelo is now fully focused on his upcoming September 12 clash against undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Saudi Arabia. “I learned a lot,” Canelo said. “I learned my lesson, and this time I took the time to take care of my body, my injuries, and all my stuff.”

Canelo underwent left elbow surgery following the Crawford fight and spent several months recovering before returning to full training. The 35-year-old believes his body is now in a much better place as he prepares for another major test against one of boxing’s fastest-rising contenders.

Canelo says motivation remains strong despite legendary career

Even after accomplishing nearly everything possible in boxing, Canelo insisted his passion for the sport remains unchanged. “I’m disciplined, and that’s the most important,” Canelo said. “I love boxing. I love my sport and every time I step in the ring I break records.”

Canelo also addressed ongoing speculation surrounding a possible future fight against David Benavidez, though he made it clear that his focus remains entirely on Mbilli for now.

As one of boxing’s biggest global stars, Canelo understands the attention surrounding every possible matchup. However, despite missing out on a second fight with Crawford, he appears determined to continue building his legacy with another championship opportunity later this year.

During the press conference in Cairo, Canelo made it clear he does not believe Mbilli can compete with him, regardless of age or timing. “He’s a good fighter but in my mind it’s 0% chance,” Canelo said. “He says it’s the perfect time because I’m old. I say to him, if I was 50 years old you still cannot beat me.”

Mbilli, however, embraced the challenge and promised fans they would see a different outcome in September. The WBC super middleweight champion insisted he brings far more to the ring than some of Canelo’s previous opponents, as he previously questioned whether Canelo can still handle elite pressure.

Mbilli confident ahead of biggest fight

Mbilli showed plenty of confidence during the faceoff and made it clear he is not entering the fight simply looking for respect. “You’re going to be surprised in September,” Mbilli said.

He also added, “I’m not Berlanga. I’m not Munguia.” The unbeaten champion also called the matchup the perfect opportunity to prove himself on boxing’s biggest stage.

Canelo returning after Terence Crawford loss

The September fight will mark Canelo’s first bout since losing his undisputed super middleweight titles to Terence Crawford last year. After Crawford retired, the division titles became split, with Mbilli eventually claiming the WBC belt.

Now, the Mexican superstar returns looking to reestablish himself at the top of the division while Mbilli attempts to secure the biggest win of his career.

Speaking during DAZN’s coverage ahead of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, Crawford explained why he thinks Canelo decided against retirement. “Canelo won’t want to end his career on a loss like he did with me,” Crawford said. “I can see Canelo wanting to come back and prove himself.”

The September matchup will mark Canelo’s first fight since the loss to Crawford and could determine how much he still has left at the elite level of boxing. Many fans and analysts remain curious to see how the Mexican star responds after the defeat, especially after Jake Paul recently claimed sending a $200M offer to Canelo.

Crawford reacts to Canelo’s upcoming fight with Mbilli

Crawford also discussed the challenge awaiting Canelo against Mbilli, who has become one of the most dangerous fighters in the super middleweight division because of his pressure and activity inside the ring.

“Mbilli puts on a lot of pressure,” Crawford explained. “Canelo is an all-time great, and I’m excited to see how he bounces back.” The undefeated Mbilli enters the fight with growing momentum and will have a major opportunity to elevate his career against one of boxing’s biggest names.

Canelo prepares for another chapter in his career

Even after years at the top of boxing, Canelo appears determined to continue competing at the highest level. His return also keeps his Riyadh Season partnership active after reportedly signing a multi-fight agreement in 2025.

For Crawford, however, the decision is more about legacy and competitiveness than business. He believes Canelo still wants to prove he can return to championship form before eventually walking away from the sport.

Speaking on DAZN’s Inside The Ring, Iglesias suggested the matchup would be difficult to make and hinted that the Mexican star may avoid the risk. “It’s complicated with Canelo,” Iglesias said. “Canelo would not want to fight me. I would hope that he would give me the fight and allow me to demonstrate that Cuban fighters, and more specifically that Osleys Iglesias, is a different breed.”

Iglesias enters the conversation as one of boxing’s most dangerous emerging champions. He recently captured the IBF super middleweight title with an eighth-round stoppage win over Pavel Silyagin, improving his undefeated record to 15-0 with 14 knockouts.

Iglesias believes his pressure style is a major problem

Iglesias believes his combination of size, pressure, and punching power creates a difficult challenge for any fighter in the division. His recent run of knockout victories has fueled growing talk about potential unification bouts at super middleweight.

A possible future matchup could depend on the outcome of Canelo’s scheduled fight against Christian Mbilli on Sept. 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mbilli, who now holds the WBC title, will look to test Canelo in a high-profile clash that could reshape the division.

Iglesias also weighed in on that fight, pointing to the stylistic contrast between both men. “It’s an interesting fight,” he said. “Mbilli is more combative, and Canelo is more selective, looking for his opponent to make mistakes.”

Canelo remains the biggest target at super middleweight

Even after his loss to Terence Crawford last September, Canelo remains the central figure in the super middleweight division and one of boxing’s biggest global stars. Any champion at 168 pounds continues to view him as the ultimate test.

For Iglesias, however, the focus is on proving he belongs at the elite level while continuing to build momentum as a feared knockout artist. Whether Canelo ever agrees to the fight remains uncertain, but the Cuban champion has already made his stance clear.

“Canelo is very old right now. Canelo is not the same Canelo like 10 year before, five year before,” Mbilli told The Ring. “He’s still dangerous. He’s still a good fighter. I think he’s top three, top two of the division.”

Canelo recently received a $200M offer from Jake Paul, but despite remaining one of boxing’s biggest names for more than a decade, Mbilli believes the veteran champion may no longer be at his physical peak after turning professional at just 15 years old.

Mbilli believes his style could trouble Canelo

Mbilli pointed directly to his aggressive style as one reason he feels confident about a possible fight against Canelo. The unbeaten contender believes his pace, pressure, and punch volume could create difficult moments for the former undisputed champion.

“I don’t know if right now he can take my pressure and my punch because I throw a lot of punch, a lot of pressure,” Mbilli said. “I think I can win. Right now it’s time to take Canelo because he’s getting old.”

Mbilli still calls fighting Canelo a “privilege”

Despite his confidence, Mbilli also made it clear he still respects everything Canelo has accomplished during his career. “It will be a privilege to fight Canelo,” Mbilli said. “To have a big name like Canelo, I will be very happy.”

A fight between the two would likely become one of the biggest events in the division, especially as questions continue growing about Canelo’s future and how much longer he plans to compete at the highest level.

“Canelo, I have the $200 million for you, easy money. Jake vs Canelo, let’s get it done,” Paul said during a recent livestream. “This is the biggest fight in boxing.” He also suggested the Mexican star is open to the idea after previous discussions.

The comments have sparked debate because Paul is still rebuilding his boxing career after a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua earlier this year. Many also question whether a sanctioning body would approve such a fight due to the large gap in experience between the two fighters.

WBC president reacts to growing fight rumors

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman responded to the speculation, saying the organization has not received any official request for sanctioning. Still, he acknowledged Paul’s recent step-up in competition has changed how some view him.

“We have not received a request for sanctioning,” Sulaiman said via SPORTbible. “Jake Paul proved himself by fighting Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.” He added that Paul has earned some respect by facing tougher opponents, but did not confirm whether a Canelo fight would be approved.

Canelo remains the major target

A fight with Canelo would be the biggest test of Paul’s career. He is a four-division world champion and one of boxing’s top names, with a long record of elite wins and championship success.

Paul, meanwhile, continues to try to establish himself at the highest level after recent setbacks, including a serious injury and recovery period following his loss to Joshua.

Despite that, his name still draws major attention for potential crossover fights. For now, the matchup remains only speculation, but the WBC president’s response has kept the conversation alive.

During a recent livestream, Paul claimed he has already discussed the potential matchup directly with Canelo and insisted the financial terms are ready to move forward. “Canelo wants 200 million. I have the 200 million dollars for you, easy money. Jake Paul vs Canelo, let’s get it done. This is what the fans have been waiting for. This is the biggest fight that can possibly be made in boxing,” Paul said.

The comments arrive after former UFC veteran Matt Brown questioned Paul’s career‑threatening injury claim, as Canelo prepares for his return to the ring after nearly a year away from competition following elbow surgery and his upset loss to Terence Crawford in their undisputed super‑middleweight title fight last September.

Paul continues pushing for blockbuster Canelo fight

Paul also stated during the stream that Canelo had shown interest in the fight during private conversations, increasing speculation surrounding a possible crossover mega-event.

“Canelo says he’s down on the phone, so we’re going to make it happen. I have the 200 million and I think that’s going to be the next fight. Sign the contract Canelo. Much respect to you, let’s make the biggest fight in boxing happen,” Paul added.

The potential matchup would likely become one of the most commercially successful events in combat sports given both fighters’ massive global audiences and social media influence.

Canelo remains focused on return against Mbilli

Despite Paul’s public push for the fight, Canelo is currently preparing for his scheduled return against WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this September.

Canelo has not competed since suffering the surprising loss to Crawford and subsequently undergoing elbow surgery during his recovery period. Meanwhile, Paul’s own future in boxing recently appeared uncertain after his stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua in December.

Jake Paul star previously suggested he might not return to the ring, though his latest comments indicate he remains interested in pursuing another high-profile showdown.

“I definitely feel like with [Canelo] not wanting to take the fight with me has gave me more attention,” Benavidez told ESPN. “But at the end of the day I don’t want to just think about Canelo… I know I’m a star by myself, so I’m there making my own path.”

Benavidez admitted clash with Canelo may never happen, a reality that has pushed him to expand his ambitions after repeated efforts to secure the showdown fell through. He has since moved up in weight and begun targeting top names across multiple divisions, with his upcoming bout at cruiserweight representing both a risk and an opportunity to redefine his standing among boxing’s elite.

Benavidez builds momentum beyond Canelo narrative

Rather than waiting for a marquee fight that may never materialize, Benavidez has taken an aggressive approach to his career. By stepping into a new division and challenging a seasoned champion like Ramirez, he is positioning himself as a fighter willing to chase greatness on his own terms.

The increased attention stemming from the Canelo storyline has, in some ways, worked in his favor. However, Benavidez has made it clear that his long-term goals extend far beyond a single opponent, focusing instead on collecting titles and strengthening his résumé against top-tier competition.

Future targets include Bivol and other elite names

Looking ahead, Benavidez has already identified potential high-profile matchups that could shape the next phase of his career. “I think the biggest fight for me is obviously… Bivol because Bivol has all the belts and that’s really what I’m after,” he said, referencing Dmitry Bivol as a primary target.

He also mentioned interest in facing Artur Beterbiev, while acknowledging the complexities surrounding a potential clash with Jai Opetaia. For now, though, all attention remains on Ramirez, as Benavidez looks to secure a cruiserweight title and further validate his decision to forge a path independent of Canelo.

In a recent interview with Oso Trava on YouTube, Canelo admitted the emotional toll the defeat had on him, revealing how deeply it affected his mindset at the time. “It hurt me a lot because, however you want to call it, it hits your ego as a fighter… maybe I went through some level of depression. I don’t know if there are levels of depression, but yeah, maybe I did,” he said.

At just 23 years old during the bout, Canelo struggled to consistently handle Mayweather’s defensive mastery and counterpunching. The American controlled distance throughout the fight, limiting Canelo’s offense and securing a clear tactical advantage across 12 rounds.

The reflection comes after Canelo confirmed return for September, adding new context to how he processes past setbacks and prepares for the next chapter of his career.

How the Mayweather loss impacted Canelo’s mindset

Canelo explained that the defeat forced him to confront the gap between potential and experience at the elite level. “I just didn’t have the right experience, and I realised that afterward,” he said. The loss initially challenged his confidence, but also became a key learning point in his development as a fighter.

From setback to elite-level resilience

Over time, Canelo said he was able to reframe the defeat and regain perspective by reflecting on the level of opposition he faced. That mental reset helped him rebuild confidence and continue his progression into one of boxing’s most accomplished champions.

“I said, ‘I didn’t lose to just anyone, I lost to the best in the world,’” he reflected. Today, Canelo continues to build his legacy as a multi-division champion, though he now faces a new chapter of his career following his loss of the undisputed super-middleweight titles to Terence Crawford, setting up a period of adjustment and rebuilding.

Benavidez did not hold back when addressing the situation, making his stance clear in a recent interview. “He’s scared – he has no (expletive). That’s what it is. I give Canelo all the respect… but at the end of the day, I was the No.1 contender in two weight classes for a long, long time,” he said on Come And Talk 2 Me, expressing frustration over missed opportunities.

The tension comes as Canelo continues to pursue high-level bouts, including a planned return in September for a world title fight in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Benavidez has moved divisions and is preparing for his own major challenge, adding further uncertainty to whether this long-discussed matchup will ever take place.

Benavidez questions missed opportunity at super-middleweight

For years, Benavidez pushed for a fight with Canelo while competing at 168 pounds, positioning himself as a top contender. “It’s really a shame because this is a fight everybody wants to see. This is a fight that the fans deserve,” Benavidez added, reinforcing the belief that the matchup was overlooked during a key window.

Future uncertainty clouds potential superfight

As both fighters continue their careers on separate paths, the chances of the fight happening appear increasingly uncertain. Benavidez is now set to face unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez, a move that could further distance him from a clash with Canelo.

Still, the possibility has not been entirely ruled out. “I believe in myself and my skills 100%, so… why not give the fans what they want to see?” Benavidez said, leaving the door open for a future meeting under the right conditions.