The blueprint for Canelo Alvarez’s next chapter has been set in motion—and he’s already checked off the first box. Earlier this month, he secured a win over the previously unbeaten William Scull. Now, all eyes are on the next challenge: a showdown against two-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford, set for September 12th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. However, a new threat has been made, and could turn out to define the aftermath of Canelo vs. Crawford.

You must be wondering—what’s the threat? Who made the threat? Besides Crawford, the world has been demanding the super middleweight king to throw down with none other than WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez. Yet, that’s not who Canelo may end up fighting after Crawford, but it would have been too good.

Having recently defeated Anauel Ngamissengue to defend his WBO and IBF middleweight titles, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly has challenged Canelo Alvarez to a fight next May. Earlier today on X, the 32-year-old wrote, “This year, I’m taking Carlos [Adames] down and grabbing my [WBC] title.”

Alimkhanuly added, “Then I’ll retire [Erislandy] Lara [for the WBA strap].” This will make him the undisputed middleweight champion, something he wants to leverage to secure a fight against Canelo. “And in May next year, I’m stepping in with Canelo to become the undisputed champion of both divisions! Inshallah!” he concluded.

Canelo Alvarez could make this move to accept the challenge and seal the deal for his first fight of 2026, which will become his third fight with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Meanwhile, it will also give him the opportunity to become a two-weight undisputed champion.

However, Canelo will first have to get past Terence Crawford, who, let’s face it, is no pushover. Regardless, Alimkhanuly isn’t the only one vying to become the lucky one.

Caleb Plant wants the winner of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford

Caleb Plant has his eyes set on the winner of the highly anticipated clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. While Plant shares a friendly rapport with Crawford, business is business. If Crawford shocks the world and dethrones Canelo for the undisputed super middleweight crown, Plant won’t hesitate to pursue a fight.

“Yea,” Plant told reporters when asked about his intentions to fight the winner. “I mean, all the top super-middleweights are on my radar. I wanna face the best.” Before that, Plant faces Jose Armando Resendiz on May 31, and could potentially meet Jermall Charlo next. Still, he’s keeping close watch on the division’s biggest names.

That said, Terence Crawford is holding the key to Canelo Alvarez’s door to becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. However, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly will have to first collect the other two belts in his division, and Canelo will have to get past Crawford. Do you think these things are possible?