Boxing: Canelo Alvarez Wins WBC Super Middleweight Title
The 36-year-old Mexican defeated Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in Riyadh to reclaim the world championship.
By Amira Patel ·
117-110. That was the final scorecard in favor of Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who defeated Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision on Saturday in Riyadh. The three judges delivered verdicts of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110, handing Mbilli his first professional loss.
Alvarez, 36, has not fought since losing his undisputed championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025. He enters this bout with a record of 64-3-2. Mbilli, the previously undefeated challenger, falls to 29-1-1. The victory marks Alvarez's return to the status of world champion after a period of uncertainty regarding his career longevity.
The fight began with Mbilli applying pressure, pushing Alvarez to the ropes in the first half. Alvarez responded with body shots and counterpunches. He found better rhythm in the sixth round, landing a right uppercut and a right straight. By the seventh round, Alvarez used an uppercut to take control. In the eighth round, referee Hector Afu deducted a point from Mbilli for a blow to the back of the neck. Alvarez controlled the tenth round with his jab. Mbilli landed right-handed shots to the body in the final round, but Alvarez finished the fight by knocking Mbilli off balance with a right hand.
Alvarez credited his coach Eddy Reynoso for the win. "He asked to do what 'Canelo' does best. And that is what I did," Alvarez said. He noted that he expected a strong opponent but felt he limited Mbilli's attack. "It is hard to throw punches at me," Alvarez emphasized.
In the co-main event, Jaime Munguia retained his WBA super middleweight title against Nikita Zon. Munguia won by unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 117-111, and 116-112. He had been hurt in the sixth round but recovered to improve his record to 47-2.
Rafael Espinosa retained his WBC featherweight title with a technical knockout of Ricardo Blandon in the third round. A straight right hand cut Blandon above the left eye, prompting the referee to stop the fight on the advice of the ringside physician at 1:22. Espinosa moves to 29-0 with 25 knockouts. Reito Tsutsumi knocked out Raymundo Rojas Garcia at 2:27 of the second round after dropping him twice, improving his record to 6-0 with five knockouts.
Alvarez did not name a next opponent. "I am going to rest. I am going to keep learning. I am going to keep working hard," he said.
Source: Greenwich Time
