Mbilli aims to defend his WBC title for the first time since being elevated as the full champion after the sanctioning body stripped the former undisputed super middleweight king Terence Crawford in December, days before his planned retirement.

“It's going to be a great fight,” said Crawford. “Mbilli puts on a lot of pressure. Canelo is going to show what type of shape he's in. Canelo is an all-time great, and I am looking forward to seeing how he bounces back. I am excited to watch the fight.

“Knowing Canelo, he doesn't want to end his career on a loss. I can see Canelo wanting to come back and prove himself and be that champion and leave on his own terms.”

Alvarez has already been installed as a -370 betting favorite by FanDuel, and Mbilli is a +260 underdog.

Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) was featured on the undercard of Canelo-Crawford in September at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and settled for a majority draw in a 10-round barnburner against Lester Martinez.

Although Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) dismantled the much bigger Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) by unanimous decision, the Nebraska native wasn’t over the moon with the career-best win.

“I didn't think it was that much great of a performance,” said Crawford. “I know what I am capable of. I am capable of doing better, but I got the job done and I am satisfied and happy with the victory. I am happy with how my career went. I accomplished everything that I needed to accomplish in the sport of boxing.”

It’s been five months since the 38-year-old, five-division champion Crawford called it quits, but every time he mans the mic, the question of a potential comeback is always tossed his way.

“I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor after boxing for 30 years. It's a great feeling. I always said that I would suffer in training and live better later on in life,” said Crawford.

“Luckily for me, I boxed because I wanted to box. The things that I set up prior to the Errol Spence fight, the Canelo fight, led me to not have to focus on depending on boxing. I'm blessed.”