Canelo Alvarez has once again cemented his status at the pinnacle of the super-middleweight division, reclaiming the prestigious WBC world title following a hard-fought victory over Christian Mbilli on Saturday night. The triumph not only restores the Mexican superstar to the throne he previously occupied, but it has also immediately reshaped the landscape of the 168-pound weight class. With the green-and-gold belt firmly back in his possession, a new contender has quickly stepped forward to voice his ambitions, as the newly crowned WBC Interim champion, Lester Martinez, has made no secret of his desire to share the ring with the legendary multi-division king.
The championship lineage at super-middleweight has experienced significant turbulence over the past year. Alvarez famously lost his undisputed status last September in a high-profile showdown against Terence Crawford, a defeat that sent shockwaves through the boxing world. Following that monumental bout, Crawford ultimately decided to hang up his gloves, walking away from the sport and subsequently relinquishing the collection of world titles he had accumulated. In the wake of Crawford’s retirement, the divisional landscape shifted dramatically. Christian Mbilli, who had been positioning himself near the top of the rankings, defended his WBC Interim title in a closely contested draw against Lester Martinez during the co-main event of that period.
With Crawford vacating the full championship, Mbilli was officially elevated to full WBC world champion. This elevation immediately placed a target on the French-Canadian fighter’s back, as Canelo Alvarez wasted no time in setting his sights on reclaiming the crown that he felt belonged to him. That quest culminated on Saturday night, where Alvarez delivered a masterclass performance, securing a decisive unanimous decision victory over Mbilli to capture the WBC super-middleweight championship once more.
While Alvarez was busy recapturing his throne, his potential future challengers have been quietly building formidable resumes of their own. Lester Martinez, who has emerged as one of the division’s most dangerous operators, boasts a compelling connection to the very man who previously dethroned Alvarez. Martinez is trained by Brian McIntyre—the mastermind coach behind Terence Crawford—and has spent countless rounds sparring with the pound-for-pound great during training camps. This elite-level preparation has clearly paid dividends inside the ring. Throughout 2026, Martinez has actively defended his status as a top contender, securing impressive triumphs over seasoned competitors such as Immanuwel Aleem and Luka Plantic to solidify his position as the mandatory-seeking WBC Interim champion.
Following Canelo’s successful championship reclamation against Mbilli on Saturday, Martinez turned his attention to the future, speaking directly to Izquierdazo Boxeo about his career aspirations. The undefeated contender revealed that facing the Mexican icon is the ultimate ambition driving his career forward. For Martinez, securing a bout against a four-division world champion represents the pinnacle of professional achievement and a golden opportunity to prove his elite credentials on the global stage.
"My dream now is to fight Canelo because he is the champion," Martinez told Izquierdazo Boxeo, outlining his clear and unwavering focus as he surveys the current championship landscape.
The timing of Martinez’s callout coincides with a critical juncture in Alvarez’s legendary career. The Mexican superstar is currently believed to have just one fight remaining on his lucrative promotional agreement with Riyadh Season. With his future beyond that remaining a subject of intense speculation within the combat sports community, Alvarez is already being heavily linked to a potential return to action in the spring.
As Martinez positions himself in hopes of soon being officially mandated as Alvarez’s next challenger by the WBC sanctioning body, boxing observers are inevitably drawing parallels to past contenders who chased the same golden opportunity. Most notably, David Benavidez famously spent years pursuing a high-stakes showdown with Canelo while reigning as the WBC Interim titleholder, ultimately never securing the fight during his tenure at super-middleweight before moving up in weight. Whether Martinez will meet a different fate in his pursuit of the champion remains one of the most compelling storylines in the sport.
Compplicating matters for the newly minted interim champion is the fact that Alvarez may already have his sights set elsewhere for his next appearance. Despite Crawford announcing his retirement from professional boxing following their historic encounter last year, rumors persist regarding the Mexican star’s future plans. Boxing insiders indicate that Canelo is actively hoping to secure a mammoth rematch with Crawford, pursuing a chance at redemption even though the American standout has officially stepped away from active competition.
For now, the division waits to see how the promotional puzzle pieces will fall. While Lester Martinez continues to dream of a championship showdown and prepares his next move under the guidance of Brian McIntyre’s team, Canelo Alvarez sits comfortably back atop the super-middleweight mountain, weighing his options for what could be the final chapters of an extraordinary career.
