Canelo Alvarez defeats Christian Mbilli to reclaim WBC title in Riyadh

Mexican boxing star wins 12-round decision to defeat the French fighter and regain the super middleweight belt.Published On 1 Nov 20261 Nov 2026Mexican veteran Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has delivered a commanding performance to defeat French fighter Christian Mbilli and regain his WBC super middleweight title in an emotional victory in Saudi Arabia.Alvarez won a 12-round decision on Sunday in Riyadh after exerting his influence in the second half of a fight that went ahead despite the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis.The 36-year-old Mexican was returning to the ring for the first time since he was beaten by American Terence Crawford in September 2025 in a loss that ended Alvarez’s reign as holder of the division’s four major titles.He faced Mbilli, 31, who was elevated to titleholder in January, and the fight, which started off as a tight contest, turned into a convincing victory for Alvarez.The judges scored the contest 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in Alvarez’s favour.Alvarez lifts his reclaimed WBC super middleweight belt [Fayez Nureldine/AFP]The Mexican superstar struggled for words after receiving the belt.“It’s so difficult to explain. It’s so difficult...