Canelo Alvarez regains WBC super middleweight title over Christian Mbilli
The 36-year-old Mexican boxer secured a unanimous decision victory in Riyadh, ending an undefeated streak for his opponent and reclaiming world champion status after a loss in 2025.
By Adewale Fletcher ·
Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez won the World Boxing Council super middleweight title on Saturday in Riyadh by defeating Christian Mbilli via unanimous decision. The judges recorded scores of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 for the Mexican fighter. The result marked the first professional loss for Mbilli, whose record now stands at 29-1-1, while Álvarez improved to 64-3-2.
Álvarez had not competed since losing his undisputed championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025. The 36-year-old returned to the ring against an undefeated opponent who applied heavy pressure, particularly in the first half of the fight. Mbilli pushed Álvarez into the corners and targeted the body with consistent activity.
The dynamic shifted in the sixth round as Álvarez began landing cleaner counter punches. A right uppercut and a right straight helped him regain control of the exchanges. In the seventh and eighth rounds, Álvarez utilized his jab and combinations to interrupt Mbilli's forward momentum. Referee Héctor Afu deducted one point from Mbilli for a punch to the back of Álvarez's head, complicating the French boxer's effort.
Álvarez controlled the tenth round with his jab and closed the fight in the twelfth by making Mbilli sway with a right hand. After the victory, Álvarez credited his trainer Eddy Reynoso for the specific game plan. 'He asked to do what 'Canelo' does best. And that is what I did,' Álvarez said.
On the post-fight podium, Álvarez displayed visible emotion during a tribute to trainers Eddy and Chepo Reynoso. He thanked his team and family, noting that his wife had told him not to return without the belt. 'I won the title,' he emphasized. Álvarez stated he expected a strong opponent but felt he limited Mbilli's attack effectively. 'It is difficult to throw punches at me,' he added.
In the co-main event, Jaime Munguía retained the WBA super middleweight title against Nikita Zon. Munguía survived a sixth-round knockdown to win by unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 117-111, and 116-112. His record improved to 47-2. Rafael Espinoza defended his WBO featherweight title by stopping Ricardo Blandón technically in the third round. A straight right opened a cut above Blandón's left eye, prompting the ringside doctor to stop the fight at 1:22. Espinoza improved to 29-0 with 25 knockouts.
Álvarez did not name a next opponent immediately after the win. He indicated a plan to rest and continue training. 'I am going to rest. I am going to keep learning. I am going to keep working hard,' he said.
