Alvarez Seeks WBC Title From Mbilli in Riyadh

Canelo Alvarez faces a straightforward question on Saturday: how much elite-level ability remains after 21 years and 68 professional fights. The 36-year-old Mexican superstar challenges Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and will be available on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Alvarez, who holds a record of 63 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws with 39 knockouts, snaps a 13-month layoff caused by elbow surgery. He lost the WBC title via unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in 2025. That fight marked a significant drop in altitude for the veteran, as Crawford moved up nearly three weight divisions to defeat him.

Betting markets list Alvarez as a 3-to-1 favorite against Mbilli, a 31-year-old from Cameroon who fights out of Montreal. Mbilli is undefeated in 29 wins and one draw, with 24 knockouts. His aggressive style and conditioning present a physical threat that contrasts with Alvarez’s counter-punching game. The odds reflect a confidence in the Mexican’s technical skill, though concerns about his age and recent form persist.

During a pre-fight Face Off show produced by DAZN last month, Alvarez addressed the question of whether he has lost a step from his prime. He answered with a calm demeanor, stating, "No, I'm very good." Mbilli, seated across the table, noted that while Alvarez is older, he remains dangerous. "I think five years ago, he was at a different level, but now he's a little bit down, I think," Mbilli said.

Alvarez reacted with a smile and a laugh to Mbilli’s assessment. "He's going to find out," Alvarez said. "Not even if I am 50 years old, he can't beat me. It's just different levels. He's going to find out that this level is way different. You need like 10 of you to beat me."

Alvarez’s trajectory has been gradual since his peak in 2022. That year, he won four fights in 11 months, including victories over Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, and Caleb Plant. However, he suffered his first loss in nine years in May 2022 to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight. Since then, he has won four decisions, but none by knockout, against opponents such as Jermell Charlo and William Scull.

The upcoming fight against Mbilli offers a test of Alvarez’s current ceiling. Mbilli fought Lester Martinez in a split draw last September, a bout praised for its action. Alvarez called that fight "good" but noted that it was "not boxing." If Alvarez retains even 70% of his 2021 form, his counter shots should control the pace. If not, Mbilli’s forward pressure and power could define the result.

The bout serves as a reality check for Alvarez’s legacy. He remains the face of the sport in Mexico and holds wins over Miguel Cotto, Sergey Kovalev, and Gennadiy Golovkin. The loss to Crawford highlighted that he is no longer the invincible force of a decade ago. Saturday’s fight will determine if he can still dictate terms against an aggressive, hungry opponent.