Canelo Alvarez next fight: Five potential opponents after victory over Mbilli in Riyadh

Saul Canelo Alvarez defeated Christian Mbilli to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight title in Riyadh on Saturday evening. The 36-year-old Mexican veteran outlasted Mbilli's onslaught before finishing him off with precise counters, earning a unanimous decision win (117-111, 116-112, 115-113). Since losing his undisputed title to Terence Crawford 13 months ago, Alvarez returned to action in excellent form.

Reflecting on his career, Alvarez expressed immense pride, stating he has been professionally active for 21 years, having won his first title 16 years ago.

While Alvarez did not announce his next opponent, he hinted at a brief break for training and hard work. With two bouts remaining on his contract with Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh, Alvarez plans to take a couple of weeks off before returning to the ring. Here are five potential opponents he could face next:

1. Hamzah Sheeraz - The 27-year-old British-Pakistani fighter was present at the venue and seems to be the frontrunner. Having vacated the WBO title after being ordered to fight Janibek Alimkhanuly, Sheeraz appears keen on taking on a bigger challenge.

2. Lester Martinez - The 31-year-old Guatemalan interim WBC champion has won two fights since drawing with Mbilli on the Canelo-Crawford undercard. A victory over Sheeraz would make Martinez a relatively easy opponent for Alvarez.

3. Jacob Bank or Janibek Alimkhanuly - After Sheeraz's proposed bout fell through, Janibek is now set to face Denmark's Jacob Bank for the vacant WBO title in January. The victor in this fight would likely be the next logical opponent for Alvarez, especially if he aims to secure further unification victories.

4. Osleys Iglesias - The Cuban boxer currently holds the IBF super-middleweight title and could become an option for Alvarez if he opts to unify the division. This match would provide Canelo with the opportunity to add another world championship to his already impressive record.

5. Terence Crawford - The American retiree announced his retirement after their fight last year, but Canelo has shown interest in a potential rematch. Crawford may be persuaded to return to the ring for this much-anticipated showdown.