Canelo tells Sheeraz to first earn the fight with him

Canelo Alvarez has left the door slightly open for a future fight with Hamzah Sheeraz, but says the unbeaten British champion still needs to earn that opportunity.

Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs) won the vacant WBO super middleweight title on May 23 in Egypt, stopping Alem Begic in a one-sided performance. That came after his fifth-round knockout of Edgar Berlanga last July, giving him real momentum at 168lbs.

Canelo (63-3-2, 39 KOs) is preparing for his own comeback after losing the undisputed super middleweight crown to Terence Crawford last September. He returns on September 12 in Riyadh against Christian Mbilli for the WBC title, with the goal of reclaiming his place at the top of the division.

Asked about Sheeraz, Canelo suggested the smartest route would be for Sheeraz to face IBF champion Osleys Iglesias first. “I think they need to fight each other and then I can fight the winner,” Canelo said.

The Mexican star made it clear he is not dismissing Sheeraz or Iglesias, but he wants them to prove who deserves the bigger fight. “We all need to earn what we deserve,” Canelo said. “They need to fight each other and then, after my fight, we’ll see.”

Image Credit: ESPN