Mexican boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has made a triumphant return to the summit of world boxing after defeating previously unbeaten Christian Mbilli to reclaim the World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight championship.
The highly anticipated showdown took place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Canelo delivered a masterclass in experience, precision and ring intelligence to defeat his dangerous opponent by unanimous decision.
After 12 competitive rounds, the judges awarded the Mexican superstar victory with scorecards of 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110, confirming his return to world championship glory.
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Canelo is back ‼️
The Mexican is a world champion once again 🙌
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Canelo Silences Doubters With Dominant Performance
Entering the contest, the 36-year-old Mexican faced enormous pressure to prove that he remained among boxing’s elite following his September 2025 defeat to American boxing legend Terence Crawford.
However, Canelo demonstrated that his championship instincts had not disappeared.
Facing an aggressive and physically imposing Mbilli, the former undisputed champion relied on accurate counterpunching, intelligent movement and powerful body shots to neutralize his opponent’s attacks.
One of the fight’s defining moments came in the seventh round when Canelo connected with a sharp uppercut that visibly troubled Mbilli.
Despite the French-Cameroonian fighter’s relentless pressure, Alvarez maintained control during crucial exchanges and secured a convincing victory.
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Christian Mbilli Suffers First Professional Defeat
For 31-year-old Christian Mbilli, the defeat marked the first loss of his professional boxing career.
The Cameroon-born fighter entered the championship encounter with an impressive record of 29 victories and one draw, having established himself as one of the most feared contenders in the 168-pound division.
Mbilli had been elevated to full WBC champion after Crawford was stripped of the title following a dispute over sanctioning fees.
However, his first defense of the championship ended in disappointment against the experienced Mexican superstar.
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Canelo Reclaims His Throne
With the victory, Alvarez improved his professional record to 64 wins, three defeats and two draws, further strengthening his legacy as one of boxing’s most accomplished modern fighters.
The triumph also marks an emotional comeback for the Mexican, who had spent more than a year outside the ring following his defeat to Crawford.
For Canelo and his supporters, the victory sends a powerful message to the boxing world.
The Mexican boxing king has reclaimed his crown, and his championship journey is far from over.
