Canelo Returns as Champion! Defeats Mbilli and Reclaims WBC Belt
Por Miriam Gonzalez ·
Saúl «Canelo» Álvarez raised a world title again. The Mexican defeated Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and reclaimed the super middleweight championship of the World Boxing Council (WBC), in a performance that marked his return to the ring after more than a year.
The judges delivered scorecards of 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 for Álvarez. The result, reported by Reuters, also represented the first professional loss for the French fighter of Cameroonian origin, who arrived with 29 victories and one draw.
The October 31st event returned the Guadalajara native to the list of 168-pound champions.
It also meant a sporting response after losing his undisputed champion status to Terence Crawford in September 2025.
Canelo Reclaims World Title with Defense and Precision
Mbilli’s strategy was to seek the initiative and apply pressure from the opening rounds.
The Mexican responded with patience, managed his attacks and found opportunities to land punches while containing his rival’s combinations.
According to the WBC account, the Mexican increased the pace during the second half of the bout.
Starting in the sixth round, he combined body shots with facial impacts, and in the seventh he connected a right hand that put Mbilli in difficulty.
Defense and punch selection were central elements of his performance.
Facing an opponent seeking to impose intensity, Álvarez managed to better control the exchanges as the rounds progressed.
Mbilli also received a one-point deduction in the eighth round for an illegal punch, according to the organization.
The fight went to the judges’ decision, who agreed to name the Mexican the winner, according to the World Boxing Council.
The Return After the Crawford Defeat
The 36-year-old Álvarez was fighting in his first bout since the setback against Crawford.
That defeat ended his reign as undisputed champion of the super middleweight division, a category in which he had held all four major titles.
His victory over Mbilli returns to him specifically the WBC championship.
That result does not automatically equate to recovering all the titles he held before facing the American.
The rival’s trajectory also helps put the triumph in perspective.
Mbilli had been interim champion and was subsequently elevated to absolute champion of the organization.
In his previous appearance, he had drawn with Lester Martínez, on the same card where Álvarez faced Crawford, according to CNA.
What the Victory in Riyadh Leaves Behind
For Canelo, the result opens a new chapter as a world champion after a prolonged break.
His performance was sustained by resources that have accompanied his career: experience, counterpunching and ability to regulate pace.
For Mbilli, the outcome means losing the belt and facing his first professional loss.
His pressure was not enough to overcome the Mexican’s precision on the scorecards.
The immediate balance is concrete: Álvarez is again the WBC super middleweight champion.
His next challenge will be to give continuity to this comeback and defend the position he has just reclaimed.
Filed as: Canelo Reclaims World Title