Alvarez seeks WBC title from Mbilli after 13-month absence

Canelo Alvarez will attempt to reclaim the WBC super middleweight title on Saturday inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The 36-year-old Mexican boxer, who has fought 68 professional bouts over 21 years, challenges Christian Mbilli in a fight scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV. Alvarez is listed as a 3-to-1 favorite against his opponent, a 31-year-old undefeated fighter based in Montreal.

This bout marks Alvarez's return after a 13-month layoff caused by elbow surgery. His most recent appearance was in 2025, when he lost the WBC title to Terence Crawford by unanimous decision. Crawford, who was two weeks shy of his 38th birthday at the time, moved up three weight divisions to secure the victory. That loss ended Alvarez's run as the top pound-for-pound fighter, a position he held for three years, and interrupted his reign as the undisputed super middleweight champion he captured in 2021.

Alvarez's decline since his peak in 2022 has been gradual. He lost to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, his first defeat in nine years. Since then, he has won four fights, including victories over Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder, but all four contests went to the scorecards. His knockout streak has also stalled during this period. Despite the statistical trends, Alvarez maintained confidence during a pre-fight appearance on DAZN's Face Off show last month. When asked if he doubted his ability against elite competition, he replied, "No, I'm very good."

Mbilli offered a contrasting view during the same interview. He described Alvarez as old but dangerous, noting that the Mexican's power had diminished slightly compared to five years ago. Mbilli stated, "I think it's the best timing for me to have this fight." Alvarez responded with a laugh, claiming that Mbilli would find the difference in their levels, and added, "You need like 10 of you to beat me."

The fight is expected to be an aggressive contest. Mbilli fights with a swarming style and little defense, a trait evident in his split draw with Lester Martinez last September. That bout, fought on the undercard of the Crawford-Alvarez superfight, was lauded for its pace but left Alvarez less than impressed. Alvarez, who prefers counter-punching, says Mbilli's aggressive approach suits his game. He believes he can discipline his opponent with accurate counter shots.

Alvarez has acknowledged the mental toll of his recent losses. During training camp in Spain, he said he prepared well for the Crawford fight but felt his mind was not fully present during fight week. He now points to that experience as a lesson. "I think his style is perfect for me to go against and will make for a great fight," Alvarez said. The outcome will determine if Alvarez can still compete at the championship level or if his career has entered a final chapter.