Canelo Alvarez set to challenge Mbilli for WBC title

Canelo Alvarez is scheduled to challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title in Riyadh on October 31, as the former champion seeks to reclaim a belt after losing to Terence Crawford last year. The fight’s result has not been reported in the accounts reviewed as of October 30, 2026. Mbilli, who was elevated to full WBC champion after Crawford retired and vacated the title, will make his first defense. Alvarez held the belt before losing his super middleweight titles to Crawford by unanimous decision in September 2025. Alvarez and Mbilli are both returning after about 13 months away from the ring. At the weigh-in, Alvarez registered 167.6 pounds and Mbilli 167.8 pounds, both below the 168-pound super middleweight limit. The bout is scheduled to headline the Mexico vs. the World card in Riyadh. Alvarez has described himself as the challenger while saying he still considers himself a champion. He has said he chose to face Mbilli rather than take a less demanding route back to a title, and called his opponent a tough champion who throws many punches. The matchup has prompted differing predictions from Jose Benavidez Sr and his son, former three-division champion...