Canelo Alvarez defeated Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reclaiming the WBC super middleweight championship with scores of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110, MMA Fighting reported.
Canelo Alvarez Claims Unanimous Decision Against Christian Mbilli
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez secured victory in his return to the ring following a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025 that cost him his undisputed crown, as reported by DAZN. Alvarez entered the bout with a professional record of 63-3-2 and 39 knockouts, facing an undefeated champion in Christian Mbilli. Mbilli had been elevated to the WBC super middleweight title following Crawford’s retirement.
Canelo defeats Mbilli at Mexico vs. The World in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/cm1f41Pjpv
— https://x.com/Turki_alalshikh/status/2116665379183587358
The main event broadcasted live on DAZN pay-per-view from Riyadh. Alvarez earned $47 million for the fight, while Mbilli collected $9 million. The fight took place despite security concerns in the region. Two ballistic missiles were intercepted over Riyadh by Saudi Civil Defence just 24 hours before the bout, following earlier missile strikes on the capital’s international airport in October.
Round-by-Round Scoring at Kingdom Arena
MMA Fighting’s live scoring tracked the championship clash from the opening bell. Both fighters moved cautiously in the first round before Alvarez landed a clean counter jab, earning a narrow 10-9 edge on the judges’ card. Mbilli applied consistent pressure in the corners through the middle frames, utilizing his high volume to take some rounds.
Controversy surfaced in the eighth round when referee Hector Afu deducted a point from Mbilli for punching Alvarez behind the head, despite Alvarez also receiving warnings for ducking his head downward. Alvarez capitalized on his technical experience in the championship rounds to seal the decision.
Alvarez Reflects on Longevity and Plans Retirement
Oleksandr Usyk entered the ring to celebrate with Alvarez immediately following the official decision. Reflecting on his longevity in the sport, Alvarez told reporters, “It’s so difficult to explain. It’s something unbelievable. It feels like my first title. Now, after 21 years as a professional, 16 years ago I won my first title. Now I won that title again. I’m so proud of my team.”
Alvarez made his professional debut on October 29, 2005, and stepped into the ring for the 69th time on Saturday. Alvarez indicated that four or five more fights would be enough before retirement. Potential future opponents include Dmitry Bivol, who holds the light heavyweight titles after recent victories over Artur Beterbiev and Michael Eifert.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canelo vs. Mbilli
What were the official judges’ scorecards for Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli?
The judges scored the bout 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 in favor of Canelo Alvarez, awarding him a unanimous decision victory.
Why did Christian Mbilli hold the WBC super middleweight title entering the fight?
Christian Mbilli was elevated from interim to full champion by the WBC after Terence Crawford retired following his victory over Alvarez in September 2025.
How much did Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli earn for the Riyadh fight?
Canelo Alvarez earned $47 million, while Christian Mbilli collected $9 million for the pay-per-view main event at Kingdom Arena.
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