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Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight world title with a convincing unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a remarkable comeback following his defeat to Terence Crawford in September 2025.
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The Mexican dominated the contest with his trademark right uppercut, flooring the previously unbeaten Mbilli at the end of the seventh round before taking control of the fight and securing victory on all three judges’ scorecards.
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Alvarez secured the 64th victory of his professional boxing career with scorecards of 115–112, 116–111 and 117–110, while Mbilli suffered the first defeat of his career after entering the contest with an unbeaten record in 30 previous fights.
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The 36-year-old expressed delight at winning another world title, describing the achievement as an unbelievable feeling, 16 years after claiming his first championship, and reaffirmed his determination to continue learning and working hard after taking a short break from boxing.
November 1, (THEWILL) – Canelo Alvarez produced a stunning performance to beat Christian Mbilli on Saturday to reclaim the WBC super middleweight championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
One year after he lost his belts to Terence Crawford, he bounced back in style by unanimous decision
The 36-year-old Mexican was returning to the ring for the first time since he was beaten by American Terence Crawford in September 2025 in a loss that ended Alvarez’s reign as holder of the division’s four major titles.
He outclassed Mbilli to win 115–112, 116–111, 117–110 on the judges’ scorecards.
Alvarez’s most effective punch in the fight was his right uppercut. He used it to counter Mbilli as Mbilli tried to close the distance.
The Mexican floored Mbilli at the end of Round 7 with that shot, and it was from that point that Alvarez took over.
It was the 64th victory of Alvarez’s career, while Mbilli suffered his first defeat in 31 bouts.
Alvarez was delighted to retain the WBC super-middleweight title.
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He said, “It’s so difficult to explain,” Alvarez said of his post-fight emotions. 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.
“I knew he was a strong fighter. He didn’t throw a lot of punches because it’s difficult to throw punches with me… I did perfectly.
“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.
“I want to rest. I want to keep learning. I want to keep working hard. Right now, I want a couple of weeks off and then come back [to training].”
Alvarez has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, from light middleweight to light heavyweight, including unified titles in three of those weight classes.
In 2021, Álvarez became the first boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, before becoming a two-time undisputed super middleweight champion in 2025.
