Canelo Alvarez returned to the ring after a 12-month hiatus to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight championship in Riyadh, securing a unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli. This win marked his first world title since the controversial loss to Terence Crawford in 2023, which ended a decade-long championship streak.
Mbilli, known for his aggressive approach, dominated the early rounds. He repeatedly pressed Alvarez against the ropes, throwing busy bursts and forcing the Mexican superstar to defend. However, by the sixth round, Alvarez began to assert control. He effectively used his right uppercut to create openings for his powerful right cross, becoming more comfortable on the ropes as the fight progressed.
A key moment occurred in the eighth round when Alvarez landed a four-punch combination, capped by a right hand to Mbilli’s head. Mbilli surged forward, leading to a point deduction by the referee for a head clash. From there, Alvarez maintained his dominance, while Mbilli struggled to regain momentum. In the final round, Mbilli landed a strong right hand, but Alvarez countered with a decisive right hook to secure the win.
The judges scored the fight 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 in favor of Alvarez, highlighting his ability to weather early pressure and take command in the later rounds. His vast experience, 68 professional fights and multiple world titles across divisions, proved key in his victory.
Alvarez, who faced criticism after his Crawford defeat, described the win as “unbelievable.” He acknowledged Mbilli’s strength but credited his own strategy. “He didn’t throw a lot of punches because it’s difficult to throw punches with me… I did perfectly,” he added. “I’m going to keep learning, I’m going to keep working hard. I’m going to take a couple of weeks off and then come back.”
Alvarez’s triumph came 16 years after his first world title, symbolizing a remarkable personal comeback. “It’s so difficult to explain. It’s something unbelievable,” he said.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith fight Cheavon Clarke on the stacked Zuffa Boxing 12 card live on Sky Sports on November 7.
