Canelo Alvarez once again sits firmly atop the super-middleweight division after successfully recapturing the prestigious WBC world title, prompting former two-division world champion Tim Bradley to step forward and name the ideal contender he believes the Mexican superstar should face upon his next outing inside the squared circle.
Alvarez recently produced a solid, calculated showing in Riyadh, outpointing Christian Mbilli over the championship distance. This victory marked a triumphant return to the summit of the 168-pound division at the first attempt, coming approximately 13 months after the boxing icon suffered a tough defeat to pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, a loss that stripped him of his undisputed crown. Undeterred by that career setback, Alvarez showcased his trademark poise and championship pedigree against Mbilli to reclaim his spot at the top of the weight class.
In the wake of that successful title recovery, subsequent reports have indicated that the four-division world champion could make his anticipated return to the ring as soon as February. This upcoming bout holds significant contract value, as it is slated to be the final fight on Canelo’s current promotional agreement with Riyadh Season, adding an extra layer of anticipation to his next career move and future promotional landscape.
Taking to his popular YouTube channel to analyze the landscape of the super-middleweight division, Tim Bradley offered a compelling recommendation for Alvarez’s next challenge. The former champion and respected analyst suggested that the Mexican superstar should square off against reigning WBC Interim champion Lester Martinez, an undefeated rising contender who is notably trained by Brian “BoMac” McIntyre—the very same tactical mastermind who cornered Terence Crawford in his victory over Alvarez.
Detailing his rationale for the matchup on his channel, Bradley pointed to Martinez’s fighting style and the fascinating geopolitical and tactical storylines surrounding the potential bout. “One name [Canelo should fight] is Lester Martinez and I am pushing Lester Martinez because he is a little younger and he got the perfect style for you; aggressive, can punch a little bit, can box a little bit,” Bradley explained to his viewers.
Highlighting Martinez’s competitive nature and recent resume, Bradley added further context to why the undefeated fighter would pose a unique and exciting challenge for the returning champion. “He fought Mbilli, they went toe-to-toe, Lester Martinez ain’t scared. He won’t be scared of you, trust me, and he will not be trying to outbox you. Lester Martinez is going to come and bring it.”
Beyond the physical attributes and the stylistic clash inside the ring, Bradley emphasized the rich narrative layers that the matchup would present for boxing fans and industry observers alike. He pointed to the cross-border rivalry and the high-stakes chess match between elite trainers as major selling points for a potential pay-per-view spectacle.
“I love the Mexico-Guatemala thing here. I love the BoMac and [Eddy] Reynoso, I love that fight between the trainers. These trainers have got egos too, they all want to win and the last time Reynoso faced against BoMac and his team, he lost,” Bradley stated, referencing the tactical defeat Alvarez suffered against Crawford’s corner. “I know he wanna get some get-back, so that is an ever bigger storyline right here! Crawford has got the remedy to beat Canelo Alvarez and that is the best way to get back at Crawford, get back at BoMac and his team.”
Martinez, representing Guatemala, has enjoyed a productive and busy campaign over recent years, successfully defending his WBC Interim belt twice throughout 2026. His path to prominence has been marked by impressive performances, including a hard-earned victory by decision over Immanuwel Aleem and a devastating knockout victory over Luka Plantic. These high-profile victories allowed Martinez to successfully maintain his unblemished, 22-fight undefeated professional record, solidifying his status as one of the most dangerous and avoided contenders in the division. Despite his impressive credentials and interim championship status, the WBC has thus far stopped short of installing him as the mandatory challenger for the full world title, leaving his immediate title trajectory open to political and promotional maneuvering within the sport.
