Alvarez defeats Mbili to become champion

Canelo Alvarez is officially a world champion again. The Mexican superstar reclaimed the WBC super-middleweight title on Saturday night in Riyadh, defeating previously unbeaten Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision and putting to rest the doubts that followed his loss to Terence Crawford little more than a year earlier.

The 36-year-old Alvarez had not fought since surrendering the undisputed super-middleweight championship to Crawford in September 2025. 

Mbilli, 31, arrived with a perfect professional record and the confidence of a man who believed the division was ready to move on. Instead, Alvarez reminded everyone why he has spent so long at the top.

From the opening rounds, Canelo’s status as the more experienced man was clear. He did not chase Mbilli recklessly or allow the fight to become a chaotic exchange. 

Rather, he used his trademark defensive movement, tight guard, and counterpunching to make Mbilli pay for every forward step. 

As the rounds passed, Alvarez grew more comfortable, landing cleaner shots and controlling the rhythm with the calm authority of a fighter who has been in countless big nights.

The judges’ scorecards at the end: 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110. It was a clear victory, though not a one-sided blowout. Mbilli remained dangerous throughout, especially when he increased the pace in the closing round, but his late push came too late to change the result.

The win moved Alvarez to 64 wins, three losses and two draws, with 39 knockouts. It was also the 64th victory of a career that has already carried him to world titles in four weight divisions. 

More importantly, it returned the WBC belt at 168 pounds to the man who had made the super-middleweight division his home for years.

For Mbilli, the defeat was painful but not shameful. He had never lost as a professional, and facing Canelo in a championship setting was an entirely different examination from the tests that had built his reputation.

Canelo has built much of his legacy at super-middleweight, and losing the undisputed crown to Crawford had left an obvious mark. 

This was not merely another win on his record; it was a return to familiar territory, with a familiar belt back around his waist. After the final bell, his reaction suggested how much the moment meant.

The performance also reshapes the immediate future of the division. Álvarez now has several major options, including undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz, a rematch with light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, or a long-awaited meeting with David Benavidez. Whichever direction he chooses, Canelo has restored leverage to his position.