Canelo reclaims title with vintage win over Mbilli

October 31, 2026

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez made a triumphant return to the ring, reclaiming the WBC super-middleweight title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh. The 36-year-old Mexican boxer, who had been without a world title since losing to Terance Crawford over a year ago, showcased his signature defensive skills and precise counter-punching to outmaneuver Mbilli across all three judges' scorecards—115–112, 116–111, and 117–110.

Alvarez’s 64th career win solidified his legacy as a four-weight world champion, while Mbilli suffered his first professional loss in 31 bouts, marking a rare setback for the Cameroon-born fighter training in Canada. The fight took place amid heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia facing missile threats just days before the bout, though combat sports events in the country have continued despite cancellations in other sports like tennis and cycling.