Canelo Alvarez bat Christian Mbilli à Riyad

Christian Mbilli lost his undefeated professional record and his WBC super-middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dropping a unanimous decision to Canelo Alvarez after 12 hard-fought rounds. The judges scored the bout 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 in favor of the Mexican champion, bringing an end to the contender’s unblemished run.

Canelo Alvarez Recaptures World Crown Against Christian Mbilli

The championship clash in Riyadh pitted the challenger against a seasoned veteran seeking to reclaim his place atop the 168-pound division. Canelo Alvarez, boasting a career record of 64-3-2 with 39 knockouts, captured a belt he had previously lost to Terence Crawford in September 2025. For Christian Mbilli, whose record shifted to 29-1-1 with 24 knockouts, the defeat marks a turning point.

Mbilli had secured the interim WBC title in June 2025 by stopping Maciej Sulecki in the first round, subsequently defending that status three months later via a split draw against Lester Martinez. Although the WBC officially elevated Mbilli to full champion status after stripping Crawford in January, the 10-month reign culminated in Alvarez reclaiming the crown.

Reflecting on the victory after 21 years in the professional ranks, Alvarez expressed his disbelief and pride. It’s so hard to explain. It’s incredible. I feel like when I won my first title, now after 21 years as a pro, Alvarez said. 16 years ago I had my first belt, now I win again. I am proud of my team who shaped who I am and the champion that I am. Thank you very much.

Tactical Breakdown and Turning Points in Riyadh

The fight began at a cautious pace as both fighters spent the opening round studying each other and testing distances with occasional jabs. The action intensified in the second round, where Mbilli flashed his speed and landed several sharp combinations on the champion. However, Alvarez demonstrated veteran poise in the third frame, dropping his hands and inviting Mbilli to strike his torso with a mocking smile.

As the bout progressed into the middle rounds, Alvarez began dictating the tempo. The Mexican star took firm control in the sixth and seventh rounds by landing crisp hooks and a punishing uppercut. The tension peaked in the eighth round when a point was removed from Mbilli’s total for a blow behind Alvarez’s head. While that penalty did not alter the final outcome on the judges’ scorecards, it effectively cemented Alvarez’s momentum down the stretch.

Despite late surges and a high work rate, Mbilli could not break through Alvarez’s defensive guard. Alvarez noted afterward that the challenger’s output was limited by defensive pressure. No, I wasn’t surprised by Mbilli, Alvarez said. I knew he was a solid boxer. He didn’t throw a lot of punches, because it’s difficult to do that against me. I did everything perfectly.

Undercard Results Supporting the Riyadh Mega-Card

The championship headliner was supported by high-stakes divisional matchups. Jaime Munguia successfully defended his WBA super-middleweight title against Nikita Zon via a unanimous decision, though he faced sustained pressure from his challenger throughout the bout. In the featherweight division, Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO belt by stopping Ricardo Blandon in the third round.

What Lies Ahead for the Former Champion

With his first professional defeat now part of the record books, Mbilli faces a period of evaluation and recovery. Alvarez outlined similar immediate plans for his own career path following the grueling 12-round encounter. I’m going to rest, Alvarez stated regarding his future schedule. I want to keep learning, to work hard. I’m going to take a few weeks off and come back.

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