Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super-middleweight title with a classic efficiency against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh.
Just over one yr since dropping his belts to Terance Crawford, Mexican pound-for-pound great Alvarez returned to motion with a assured victory by unanimous determination.
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The 36-year-old, in his 69th skilled struggle, confirmed trademark slick defence and counter punching as he outclassed Mbilli to win 115–112, 116–111, 117–110 on the judges’ scorecards.
It was the sixty fourth victory of four-weight world champion Alvarez’s illustrious profession, while 31-year-old Mbilli suffered his first defeat in 31 bouts.
“It’s so difficult to explain,” said Alvarez.
“It’s something unbelievable, this feeling. Like my first title. Thirty-one years as a professional. Sixteen years ago, I won my first title. Now, I won the title again. I’m so proud.”
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Doubts had been raised in latest weeks about whether the occasion could safely go forward due to the growing battle between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi motion.
Just two days before the struggle, Saudi Press Agency reported the Civil Defence had intercepted two ballistic missiles over Riyadh.
Earlier in October, a missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
While other sporting occasions in Saudi Arabia – including The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, the ultimate spherical of the 2026 World Rally Championship and the 2026 Urban Cycling World Championships – have been cancelled, the fight sports activities world has not adopted go well with.
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Alvarez delivers timeless efficiency
Cameroon-born Mbilli, who trains in Canada, was making the first defence of his WBC title after being elevated to champion in January.
Alvarez, meanwhile, was competing for the first time without a world title to his title since 2015.
Pundits had questioned whether Alvarez’s expertise were declining following defeat by Crawford and over a yr out of the ring, but his response was emphatic.
Mbilli pressured Alvarez in the early levels, peppering him against the ropes, with the Mexican wanting to land massive counters.
Alvarez responded by dismissively shaking his head to shrug off their influence, before goading Mbilli into attacking again.
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Although Mbilli was throwing more punches, it was Alvarez who was touchdown the tougher pictures, with a couple of massive proper uppercuts discovering the mark in spherical six.
The sample continued in the next few rounds, with Alvarez countering the busy but largely ineffective Mbilli, before the defending champion was dealt a further blow by being docked a level for hits to the back of the head.
From there Alvarez cruised to the end line with Mbilli persevering with to push ahead but posing little menace to the Mexican.
Alvarez’s defence and timing of punches was too slick all through, and although Mbilli landed a couple of stinging proper arms in the closing levels, it was in useless.
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Alvarez did not point out who he desires to struggle next in his post-fight interview, but hinted at a fast return to coaching.
“I’m going to rest. I’m going to keep learning. I’m going to keep working hard,” said Alvarez.
“And right now I’m going to be a couple of weeks off and then come back.”
Alvarez goaded Mbilli to go on the attack while he was against the ropes [Getty Images]
Some of Alvarez’s best work came from his uppercut and jabs [Getty Images]
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