Mexican veteran Saul “Canelo” Alvarez delivered a commanding performance to defeat French fighter Christian Mbilli and regain his WBC super middleweight title in an emotional victory in Saudi Arabia.
Alvarez won a 12-round decision on Sunday in Riyadh after exerting his influence in the second half of a bout that went ahead despite the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis. 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, a loss that ended Alvarez’s reign as holder of the division’s four major titles.
He faced the 31-year-old Mbilli, who had been elevated to titleholder in January. What started off as a tight contest ultimately turned into a convincing victory for Alvarez, with the judges scoring the bout 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in his favour.
The Mexican superstar struggled for words after receiving the belt in the ring. “It’s so difficult to explain. It’s so difficult to explain,” Alvarez said. “It’s something unbelievable. It feels like my first title, now, after 20, 21 years as a professional. Sixteen years ago, I won my first title. Now I won the title again.”
The victory adds another world title to a career haul that stretches from light middleweight to light heavyweight across two decades. A host of other sporting events have been called off since the Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition that supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its fight against the Houthis. Alvarez hinted at the tense security situation during his post-fight comments when he thanked his family, noting they were “watching me from afar today for the first time.”
Inside the ring, Alvarez was the more composed boxer in the opening round, but by round three, Mbilli was ripping off combinations and looking the more active fighter. The Frenchman took the initiative in round five, though the bout remained a tactical battle.
Alvarez began showing his class and ringcraft in the sixth, easily taking the round. It was in the seventh that the veteran really pressed home his advantage, pinning Mbilli to the ropes and landing a right uppercut that left the Frenchman rocking on his feet.
In the eighth round, Mbilli had a point deducted for punching behind the head. The Frenchman appeared to lose further momentum from that point onward, allowing Alvarez to dictate the pace in the closing rounds and seal the victory.
