Boxing
Unbeaten star predicts future 'big war' with 'old' Canelo after lighting up Las Vegas undercard
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Unbeaten super middleweight star Christian M’billi is eyeing a future fight with Canelo Alvarez after dazzling on the Mexican great’s undercard earlier this month.
M’billi is the interim WBC champion at 168lbs and was involved in one of the fights of the year in Las Vegas as he drew with Lester Martinez shortly before Canelo lost his titles to Terence Crawford.
A rematch has been ordered and M’billi could be in line to face Canelo if he can beat Martinez in their second meeting.
Asked how a potential fight with Canelo would go, M’billi told Ring Magazine: “For me, it will be a big war. And it’s good because he’s getting very old.”
M’billi’s draw with Martinez was the first blemish on his professional record which currently stands at 29-0-1 (24KOs).
Both men went toe-to-toe across 10 rounds and there was nothing to separate them at the final bell.
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Martinez may have been able to stand up to M’billi’s punches, but the 30-year-old is not convinced Canelo, who is five years his senior, will provide the same resistance and feels he could get his hands on the four-weight world champion at the perfect time.Mikey Williams/Top Rank
“(I don’t know) if he can take the same fights, my pressure, my punches because I throw a lot of punches, a lot of pressure, I put (in) a lot of energy,” M’billi explained.
“I don’t know if right now he can take it because he’s getting very old. But I think I can win. For me, I have a very good chance to win.”
Crawford is now the undisputed super middleweight champion after beating Canelo, but he is yet to commit to remaining at 168lbs.
The American superstar could opt to drop down to middleweight in search of a title in a sixth different division or he may retire.
If Crawford chooses either of these options, he would have to vacate his belts and M’billi could be upgraded to full champion.
This would strengthen his claim for a shot at Canelo and the chance to pick up the biggest win of his career.
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