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The fighters chasing a Canelo showdown and the fights they could take to prove they’re worthy
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will defend his WBO, WBA, and WBC titles against William Scull on Saturday at the Riyadh Arena in Saudi Arabia.
He is already being tipped for bigger fights down the line – with a reported money-spinning mega-fight against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas in September looming large.
Alvarez is also keen for a rematch with Dmitry Bivol after losing to the Russian in 2022.
Here, DAZN News looks at Alvarez’s potential opponents and what they might need to do to get a shot at the Mexican boxing icon.
Chris Eubank Jr
Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing
After beating Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to finally settle their long-running feud, could Eubank Jr now earn a crack at Alvarez?
Eubank Jr has long sought to earn a lucrative showdown with the legendary Mexican.
Perhaps his time has now finally arrived, with a fight in Riyadh in February 2026 already touted as a distinct possibility.
There is also the prospect of Eubank Jr getting back in the ring with bitter enemy Billy Joe Saunders, who beat him in 2014.
Saunders won that fight via split decision and was at the heart of a major row before the Eubank Jr-Benn fight last weekend.
Benn sent Saunders into his opponent’s dressing room to oversee the wrapping of his hands but was denied access.
Saunders, 35, lost to Alvarez in their 2021 title unification and has not fought since.
Eubank Jr could also face Benn in a rematch with names such as Erislandy Lara, Carlos Adames, Denzel Bentley, Hamzah Sheeraz and Janibek Alimkhanuly all mentioned as potential candidates for his next fight.
But Eubank Jr would surely love nothing more than to be given a crack at Alvarez.
Dmitry Bivol
Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
A rematch with Bivol in February 2026 remains an intriguing option following Alvarez’s defeat to the Russian in 2022.
Back then, Alvarez suffered a shock points defeat as Bivol retained his WBA light-heavyweight title in Las Vegas.
Alvarez was the undisputed world super-middleweight champion but he stepped up in weight for the fight and was handed just a second defeat in 61 bouts.
Bivol claimed victory with a unanimous points decision win after all three judges scored the fight 115-113 in the Russian’s favour.
Alvarez has spoken of his desire to challenge Bivol at light heavyweight after his upcoming fight with William Scull this weekend.
Alvarez will defend his WBO, WBA, and WBC titles against Scull on Saturday, where victory would see him add the IBF belt to become the undisputed champion of all organisations at 168lbs.
But, looking further ahead to a potential rematch with Bivol at 175lbs, Alvarez said: “I hope I get the opportunity to have that rematch with Bivol.
“It’s the only fight at 175 (pounds) that I really want, but we’ll see.”
An Artur Beterbiev trilogy fight is another option for Bivol, who lost to his compatriot in February but beat him in their first bout last October.
After 24 thrilling rounds resulting in a win apiece, possibly getting the gift of seeing rounds 25 through 36 would be something special.
David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez have also been touted as potential opponents for Bivol.
Hamzah Sheeraz
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
A dust-up with rising British star Hamzah Sheeraz is another option for Alvarez.
Sheeraz is reportedly set to make his super middleweight debut on July 12 when he takes on former Alvarez foe Edgar Berlanga.
“If the rumors are true, what a great fight. I’m in the era of boxing where the best fight the best,” Sheeraz told DAZN while on hand for the Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.
In February, the 25-year-old’s world title challenge ended in disappointment as he drew against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in Saudi Arabia.
Sheeraz was fortunate to remain undefeated as his record extended to 21 wins and one draw, but the Ilford man has since taken on Andy Lee, the former WBO middleweight titlist, as his head trainer.
Sheeraz said he would now be fighting at super middleweight as he, too, remains an option for Alvarez to fight in Riyadh next February.
A win over proposed next opponent Berlanga could take him closer to a potential showdown with Alvarez as Sheeraz looks to maintain his hard-hitting reputation and upward career trajectory.
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