Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez captured the WBC super-middleweight world title once again after securing a unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The victory comes just over a year after the 36-year-old Mexican fighter lost his belts to Terence Crawford.
Judges scored the bout 115–112, 116–111, and 117–110 in favor of Alvarez, who delivered a display characterized by defensive maneuvering and counter-punching. The win marks the 64th professional victory of Alvarez’s career in 69 fights, while giving the 31-year-old Mbilli his first defeat across 31 bouts.
A Special Championship Moment
Alvarez had entered the ring without holding a world championship belt for the first time since 2015. Speaking after his win, Alvarez expressed his pride in regaining the championship.
“It’s so difficult to explain,” said Alvarez. “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.”
Action Inside the Ring
Mbilli, who was born in Cameroon and trains in Canada, was undertaking the first defence of the WBC title he was elevated to hold in January. In the opening rounds, Mbilli attempted to apply pressure by keeping Alvarez against the ropes. However, Alvarez brushed off the attacks and responded with heavy counter-punches, including clean right uppercuts during the sixth round.
Although Mbilli threw a higher volume of strikes, Alvarez connected with the more effective punches. Mbilli was later docked a point for hits to the back of Alvarez’s head. Alvarez managed the final rounds to seal the win, despite Mbilli landing late right-hand strikes.
Security Backdrop in Riyadh
The match took place amidst security concerns caused by conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement. Two days before the event, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence intercepted two ballistic missiles over Riyadh. That incident followed an earlier missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in October that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. While other high-profile sporting events in the nation were called off, combat sports fixtures proceeded as scheduled.
Following his win, Alvarez did not name his next opponent but indicated plans for a brief break before returning to training. “I’m going to rest. I’m going to keep learning. I’m going to keep working hard,” said Alvarez. “And right now I’m going to be a couple of weeks off and then come back.”
