Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has delivered a blunt response to the latest wave of call-outs from divisional rivals, specifically addressing IBF champion Osleys Iglesias and long-time pursuer David Benavidez. Speaking during recent media sessions, including an interview with DAZN Boxing, the Mexican superstar insisted that emerging champions like Iglesias and Hamzah Sheeraz must face each other before he considers them legitimate opponents for his 168-pound throne.
The 168lb landscape has become increasingly crowded since Alvarez’s recent campaigns, with newer titleholders seeking a career-defining payday. Osleys Iglesias, the Cuban standout who holds 14 knockouts in 15 professional wins, recently suggested that Alvarez “would not want” to face him. Alvarez remains unmoved by the rhetoric, stating that champions should prove their worth through a clear elimination process rather than social media pressure.
Alvarez is currently preparing for his confirmed clash against WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He maintained that challengers need to “earn what they deserve” by cleaning out the rest of the contenders while he focuses on his existing contractual obligations.
The veteran fighter, who holds a professional record of 62-2-2, has consistently defended his right to choose his own path at this stage of his career.
Saul Alvarez demands playoff between Osleys Iglesias and Hamzah Sheeraz
Alvarez dismissed the idea of jumping straight into a unification bout with Iglesias, suggesting a mini-tournament instead. “I think that they need to fight each other and then I find out the winner,” Alvarez told DAZN. He clarified that while he recognizes their status as champions, he believes they need to build their profiles by facing top-tier opposition.
This “earn it” approach also applies to WBO titleholder Hamzah Sheeraz. Hamzah Sheeraz predicts Canelo Alvarez knocks out Christian within six rounds in the upcoming September bout, yet he remains one of the names Alvarez wants to see tested against other champions. For Alvarez, the logic is simple: the winner of an Iglesias-Sheeraz clash becomes the undeniable next step.
“They deserve it, that is why they are there as champions,” Alvarez admitted. “But they need to fight each other and then, after my fight, we will see.” This creates a clear roadmap for the division, though it delays the immediate unification that many fans and promoters have been calling for throughout 2026.
David Benavidez продолжает pursuit with ringside call-out
While Iglesias and Sheeraz negotiate the politics of 168 pounds, David Benavidez continues to be the most vocal challenger. Following his knockout victory over Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on May 2, 2026, Benavidez used a ringside interview at the T-Mobile Arena to directly challenge Alvarez. Benavidez, who now holds unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, has reached out for this fight for years.
The “Mexican Monster” carries a professional record of 32-0 with an 81% knockout ratio. Despite David Benavidez targets Canelo Alvarez showdown after moving up in weight, Alvarez remains skeptical of the matchup. In a May 23 media session, Alvarez suggested that Benavidez can no longer comfortably make the weight limit for a super-middleweight clash.
“He did good in the fight [against Ramirez],” Alvarez noted. “But I don’t think he can make 175 anymore. It’s not my problem.” Alvarez went as far as telling Ring Magazine that a fight with Benavidez is currently “impossible” and recommended the undefeated fighter look toward the heavyweight division instead of chasing a return to 168 or 175 pounds.
Challenges for the Cuban knockout artist
Osleys Iglesias faces his own immediate hurdles while waiting for an opening in the Canelo sweepstakes. Reports indicate he is in talks for a defense against Carlos Adames. Adames, the WBC middleweight champion, is widely expected to vacate his current title to pursue opportunities in the super-middleweight division, where Iglesias currently holds the IBF strap.
Iglesias remains firm in his belief that his 93% finishing rate is the real reason for the delay. Speaking on the complications of making the fight, 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…
are a different breed.” For now, he must rely on the sanctioning bodies to enforce his position.
The situation mirrors previous divisional standoffs. Fans recently saw Shakur Stevenson dismiss a Devin Haney fight due to timing and weight class shifts, proving that even at the highest levels of the sport, championship gold does not always guarantee an immediate super-fight. Iglesias must now decide if he will accept Alvarez’s challenge to face Sheeraz first.
Weight struggles and the path forward in Riyadh
Alvarez’s focus remains squarely on the September 12 date in Saudi Arabia. By taking on Christian Mbilli, he is addressing the WBC’s mandatory requirements. He has been clear that he will not be bullied into fights by fans or social media narratives, famously telling FightHype, “At this point in my career, I can do whatever I want.”
The weight class issue continues to be the primary sticking point for a Benavidez fight. While Benavidez holds titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, Alvarez has no interest in moving back up to those limits given his previous experiences. For the Mexican icon, the risk-reward ratio of facing a significantly larger opponent at 175 or 200 pounds simply does not fit his current strategy.
If Alvarez successfully defeats Mbilli in Riyadh, the pressure for a full unification will intensify. Whether that results in a clash with the winner of a Sheeraz-Iglesias “playoff” or a compromise with Benavidez remains to be seen. What is certain is that the 168-pound kingpin still holds all the cards in boxing’s most lucrative division.
