Alvarez Returns to Riyadh to Retake WBC Belt From Mbilli

Canelo Alvarez takes the stage in Riyadh on Saturday to reclaim the WBC super middleweight title he lost in 2025.

Alvarez, 36, fights for the first time in 13 months after undergoing elbow surgery. He faces Christian Mbilli, a 31-year-old undefeated fighter from Cameroon who trains in Montreal. The bout is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV at the Kingdom Arena. Alvarez holds a record of 63-3-2 with 39 knockouts, while Mbilli stands at 29-0-1 with 24 knockouts.

Alvarez has been a dominant force in the sport for two decades. He previously held titles in four weight divisions and served as the pound-for-pound king for three years. His last major defeat came against Terence Crawford in 2025. Crawford, who was two weeks shy of his 38th birthday at the time, moved up three weight divisions to win by unanimous decision. Prior to that, Alvarez lost to Dmitry Bivol in 2022. That fight marked his first loss in nine years. Since then, his four victories have all gone to the scorecards. He has not recorded a knockout since defeating Caleb Plant.

Mbilli has not shied away from questioning Alvarez's age. During a DAZN pre-fight show, Mbilli stated that Alvarez is "old now" but remains "very dangerous." He noted that Alvarez's power may have declined slightly compared to five years ago. Alvarez responded with a smile, claiming that Mbilli would find out the difference in their levels. "You need like 10 of you to beat me," Alvarez said.

Alvarez entered his training camp in Spain with a focus on correcting mistakes from the Crawford bout. He admitted his mind was not fully present during the previous fight week. He believes Mbilli's aggressive style suits his counter-punching ability. Mbilli is known for his relentless forward pressure. Last September, he fought Lester Martinez in a ten-round split draw. Alvarez criticized that bout, saying the fighters threw punches like crazy but that it was not boxing.

The fight is expected to be a high-action contest. Mbilli fights with high pace and confidence. Alvarez is listed as a 3-to-1 betting favorite. If Alvarez is at peak performance, he aims to use his counter shots to stop Mbilli. If he is not, Mbilli's hunger and power present a serious threat. The outcome will determine if Alvarez remains the face of the sport or if a new generation takes over.