Hearn discussed the matchup during a recent interview and pointed to the challenge Mbilli presents for a fighter entering the later stages of his career.

“If you are finished, you get beat in that fight,” Hearn said to iFL TV when asked about the Canelo-Mbilli matchup.

Mbilli enters the fight unbeaten and carrying the WBC title after establishing himself as one of the leading names at 168 pounds. The French-Cameroonian contender spent years pursuing a fight with Alvarez and now finds himself one victory away from cementing his place among the division’s elite.

Alvarez, meanwhile, returns looking to reestablish himself near the top of the super middleweight division after surrendering his undisputed championship status. A victory over Mbilli would immediately put him back in the title picture, while Mbilli has the opportunity to secure the biggest win of his career.

Hearn stopped short of predicting an upset, but his comments reflected the respect many in boxing have for Mbilli’s chances heading into the September showdown.

The former Matchroom promoter has worked closely with Alvarez in the past and believes the fight is dangerous enough to punish any decline. That belief alone speaks to the threat Mbilli brings into what is expected to be one of the biggest fights of the year at 168 pounds.