Canelo reclaims title with win over Mbilli

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super-middleweight title with a vintage performance against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh

Just over one year since losing his belts to Terance Crawford, Mexican pound-for-pound great Alvarez returned to action with a confident victory by unanimous decision. The 36-year-old, in his 69th professional fight, showed trademark slick defence and counter punching as he outclassed Mbilli to win 115–112, 116–111, 117–110 on the judges' scorecards.

It was the 64th victory of four-weight world champion Alvarez's illustrious career, while 31-year-old Mbilli suffered his first defeat in 31 bouts. "It's so difficult to explain. 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," said Alvarez.

Doubts had been raised in recent weeks about whether the event could safely go ahead due to the growing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement. Just two days before the fight, Saudi Press Agency reported the Civil Defence had intercepted two ballistic missiles over Riyadh.

Earlier in October, a missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. While other sporting events in Saudi Arabia - including The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, the final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship and the 2026 Urban Cycling World Championships - have been cancelled, the combat sports world has not followed suit.