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The Best Fight of the Canelo vs. Crawford Event is Getting a Rematch: Here's Why

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Aldon | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 9:14 PM ET

In a night headlined by the super-fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, the action-packed 10-round war between Christian M'billi and Lester Martinez for the interim WBC super middleweight belt stole the show and left fans on the edge of their seats. From the opening bell, the two super middleweight contenders fought a brutal, back-and-forth battle in which both fighters showcased their heart and skill. Neither fighter disengaged fully from the pocket, trading powerful hooks and sharp counters in a fight that was so incredibly close that it ended in a split draw.

The consensus across the boxing world was that this bout was the most competitive and exhilarating contest of the entire pay-per-view event, and was likely a Fight of the Year contender. UFC CEO Dana White, who promoted the event alongside Turki Alalshikh, reportedly awarded both fighters with a $100,000 fight of the night bonus.

The exciting bout has prompted the World Boxing Council (WBC) to order an immediate rematch between M'billi and Martinez.

Watch highlights of their fight:

With this move, the unresolved business between the two rising stars will be settled inside the ring once and for all, with the winner positioned for a potential world title shot in the lucrative 168-pound division.

The winner of this fight may likely face Crawford, which would make an especially compelling storyline if Martinez were to win the rematch, given that the Guatemalan fighter has been one of Crawford’s main training partners for the past three years and was a big piece in helping “Bud” during his preparation against Canelo.

Even though they share a bond as sparring partners, Martinez, prior to his fight against M'billi, said he is game for a fight against Crawford down the line.

“I want to be the challenger for the undisputed title,” he told Ring Magazine. “I can end up facing anyone. I can face Terence Crawford, yes, because he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world.”

The prospect of fighting Crawford might elude both men, however, given that the newly minted undisputed super middleweight champion hinted at a possible move down to middleweight during the post-fight press conference.

Before they can think of a world in which they fight Crawford, however, M'billi and Martinez will first need to settle their score in a rematch. No matter who wins this time around, their rematch will be a victory for boxing fans.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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