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Canelo Alvarez Unanimously Decides Over Mbilli for WBC Super Middleweight Title
· Confirmed
In Short: Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight title by defeating Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31.
Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight title by defeating Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31. Alvarez, a four-division world champion, won by unanimous decision with scores of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110.
Alvarez, 36, had not fought since his loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025. He returned to the ring with a clear favorite status at -330 odds, according to DraftKings.
Mbilli, 31, was the WBC interim champion, having captured the title with a first-round TKO victory over Maciej Sulecki in June 2025. Mbilli entered the fight with an undefeated record of 29-0-1, with 24 knockouts.
Alvarez showcased his trademark slick defense and counterpunching, outclassing Mbilli as the fight progressed. Mbilli's pressure and greater activity made the opening half competitive, but Alvarez capitalized well.
Alvarez's performance was marked by precise counterpunching and a strong second-half performance. He increasingly made Mbilli respond to his punches, interrupting the champion’s advances with cleaner shots.
Alvarez faced questions about whether his championship years had ended with the Crawford defeat. His victory over Mbilli was a crucial bout if the 36-year-old wanted to keep his boxing career alive.
Mbilli acknowledged the difficulty of facing Alvarez, saying, “It’s something unbelievable.” He added, “It’s difficult to throw punches with me.”
Alvarez expressed his pride in the victory, stating, “Do what Canelo do the best. And that’s what I did.” He also thanked his team, saying, “I’m so proud, so proud of my team.”
Alvarez improved his record to 64-3-2, while Mbilli fell to 29-1-1.
Background
Canelo Alvarez returns to challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31.
What's confirmed
- On October 31, Canelo Alvarez returns to challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title.
- Canelo Alvarez challenges Christian M’Billi for the WBC super middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Meanwhile, whilst also predicting a Canelo win, three-division world champion David Benavidez told DAZN Boxing that he expects his foe to ‘walk through Mbilli’ without much trouble.
- "After 20 years as a professional, I'm glad to be here," Alvarez said I'm the challenger now, but always in my mind, I'm the champion.
- “Oh, it’s so difficult to explain,” Alvarez said.
- “It’s difficult to throw punches with me,” he said.
- “I’m so proud, so proud of my team,” Alvarez said.
- Canelo Alvarez, left, and WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli face off at Friday’s official weigh-in in Riyadh as a WBC belt is held above them.
What's still developing
- Lindolfo Delgado’s IBF title fight with Artur Biyarslanov fell off Saturday’s card in Riyadh on short notice.
- “Great question, yes,” he replied on his YouTube channel.
- Reito Tsutsumi (6-0, 5 KOs) made short work of Raymundo Rojas García (16-3, 11 KOs), stopping the Mexican in round two of their scheduled ten-round super featherweight contest.
- Now, 13 months on from that clash – where Mbilli appeared on the undercard – both Canelo and the French-Cameroonian champion end the longest periods of inactivity in their respective careers as they collide with one another.
- Alvarez was younger than Crawford with a history of huge fights and Crawford was moving up multiple weight classes for the mega-payday of facing Canelo.
- Every big card in one place on the homepage: who's fighting, where and for which titles, updated as cards change.
- Canelo has not competed since losing to Terence Crawford last year, and now the mega-boxing star is out to remind everyone that he is still the face of the sport and one of the greatest boxers to ever step inside the ring.
- Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Alvarez is looking to reclaim his place at the top of the division after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025.
- At 36 years old, Canelo remains one of boxing’s biggest attractions, but he faces a dangerous opponent as he attempts to become a world champion once again.
- A loss for Canelo here could signal the start of the end, for a fighter who has long been the face of boxing.
- And with the title on the line, M’billi is looking for extra motivation for an upset.
- Mbilli, 31, was elevated to WBC super-middleweight champion in January and makes his first defence against Mexico's Alvarez, 36, on Saturday.