Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli successfully made weight for their WBC super-middleweight world title fight in Riyadh on Saturday, with Alvarez at 167.6 pounds and Mbilli a fraction heavier at 167.8 pounds. The bout marks Alvarez’s first world-title fight since his upset loss to Terence Crawford last year, when Crawford retired and left the four major championships vacant. Mbilli, who inherited the WBC belt, has remained unbeaten in his professional career, with only one draw in 30 fights.
Alvarez, who has repeatedly stated he does not believe in shortcuts, chose to challenge Mbilli immediately after his loss. “I want to become a world champion again, and that’s why I want to face the best,” he said. “Mbilli is the world champion.” The fight comes as Alvarez seeks to reclaim one of the titles he once held. “I’m the challenger now, but in my mind I’ve always been the champion, ever since I was a little kid,” he added.
Mbilli, who has faced elite competition throughout his career, responded with confidence. “I have a lot of respect for Canelo and his career, and I congratulate him on everything he has achieved,” he said.
“But inside the ring, it will be a different story, and I’m coming to win.”
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“I’m ready to shock the world.”
The event in Riyadh is going ahead amid escalating conflict in the region.
Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi airports, including Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, while security concerns have led to the postponement or cancellation of other sporting events in the kingdom.
“You know, fighting in Saudi for me is special and whatever it takes I’m going to be a world champion again,” Canelo has said. “Because I’m a fighter and I want to achieve a lot of things in boxing yet and that motivates myself. I love boxing.”
Former opponent Matthew Hatton, who fought Alvarez in 2011, suggested the outcome could influence the Mexican’s legacy. While he believes Alvarez still has a chance, Hatton warned that a loss might slightly tarnish his reputation. “I know people say it doesn’t tarnish their legacy, but for me, slightly, it does,” he said in a podcast interview. “We all look at that differently. I would like to see him retire now.”
