During a recent pre-fight interview, Martinez made it clear that he is already thinking about the opponents that may await him if he continues to win.
“Canelo can win, Mbilli can win,” Martinez told La Hora del Boxeo. “Fighting either of those two will benefit me greatly. We will be ready to win.”
Those names reflect the reality of the super middleweight division. Canelo Alvarez remains the central figure at 168 pounds, and the biggest fights in the weight class often hinge on the Mexican star’s next move. Christian Mbilli has also emerged as one of the most dangerous contenders in the division, with pressure and activity making him a tough opponent for anyone in the weight class.
Martinez already shares unfinished business with Mbilli. The two fought to a 12-round draw in September 2025 in a fight that raised Martinez’s profile after many observers felt he did enough to win. The competitive fight helped introduce the Guatemalan contender to a larger audience and put him firmly among the top contenders at super middleweight.
Before any of these possibilities can materialize, Martinez must first deal Aleem, a veteran who has faced prospects and contenders throughout the division for years. The experienced American has shared the ring with several notable opponents and brings durability and ring knowledge that Martinez could test over the course of the fight.
Still, Martinez sees the interim title fight as an opportunity to move one step closer to the fights he ultimately wants. With the division’s biggest prizes attached to a small group of elite names, the undefeated contender believes continuing to win is the only way to force himself into those conversations.
A win wouldn’t guarantee those fights, but it would move Martinez to the biggest opportunities in the super middleweight division.
