Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez regained the WBC super-middleweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on 31 October 2026. The 36-year-old Mexican, fighting for the 69th time as a professional, outclassed the previously unbeaten Mbilli to win 115–112, 116–111 and 117–110 on the judges' scorecards.
The victory marked Alvarez's 64th career win and his first world title since losing his belts to Terence Crawford just over a year earlier. Mbilli, 31, suffered his first defeat in 31 bouts; the Cameroon-born Canadian was making the first defence of the WBC title after being elevated to champion in January.
Despite pre-fight concerns over missile attacks in Riyadh — including intercepted ballistic missiles two days before the bout and a deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport earlier in October — the fight proceeded while other sporting events in Saudi Arabia were cancelled. Alvarez delivered a vintage performance, using slick defence and counter-punching to neutralise Mbilli's early pressure. He landed heavy right uppercuts in round six and shrugged off Mbilli's attacks, while the defending champion was docked a point for hits to the back of the head.
"It's so difficult to explain," Alvarez said afterward. "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." He did not name a next opponent but indicated a quick return to training: "I'm going to rest. I'm going to keep learning. I'm going to keep working hard. And right now I'm going to be a couple of weeks off and then come back."
