Hamzah Sheeraz is hoping to secure a lucrative unification showdown with Canelo Alvarez in 2027, but the Mexican superstar must first overcome reigning WBC super-middleweight world champion, Christian Mbilli.

Alvarez lost the undisputed super-middleweight crown to Terence Crawford last year, but the American’s subsequent retirement saw the titles become fragmented and now reassigned or captured.

Christian Mbilli was one of those beneficiaries and Canelo has made the French-Cameroonian – and his WBC strap – his target ahead of his comeback following a career-long 13-month inactive spell due to an elbow injury.

In an interview with Ring Magazine, Sheeraz, who claimed the vacant WBO world title back in May, denied suggestions that 36-year-old Alvarez is on the decline and forecasted a first win inside of the distance since 2021 when he collides with Mbilli next month.

“I don’t see it being the end of Canelo, and I’ll tell you why.”

“His last two performances have been against, I wouldn’t say negative but slick fighters. William Scull, very negative. He’d make anyone look bad. Stylistically, it wasn’t ideal for Canelo.

“Crawford is Crawford. He’s a special fighter. You could put anyone in with him, and he’s dealing with him. It’s as simple as that.

“I truly believe Mbilli is tailor-made for Canelo. He doesn’t move his feet. He comes forward. He’s there to be hit, and I believe Canelo will get him out of there late.

“I think if he doesn’t get him out of there late, he’ll have a very comfortable unanimous decision victory, but in an active fight.”

Canelo-Mbilli takes place on October 31 in Riyadh, with at least two additional world title bouts set to feature on the ‘Mexico vs. The World’ themed bill.