Crawford backs Canelo to beat Mbilli in title fight

Canelo Alvarez is scheduled to challenge WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli on October 31 in Riyadh, with Terence Crawford predicting that Mbilli’s pressure-oriented style will suit Alvarez. Crawford, who retired after defeating Alvarez in September 2025, shared his assessment of the matchup with DAZN. He said Mbilli would need to press forward and make the bout physical, but predicted Alvarez would win a boxing match. The forecast is Crawford’s view, not a result: the fight is still scheduled, and the reports do not establish that it has taken place. The bout is set for the ANB Arena in Riyadh and is described as Alvarez’s return after a 13-month absence. He is also returning after elbow surgery, according to a fight preview. The expected main-card start and ring-walk times have not been confirmed, and the event’s card remains subject to change. Mbilli, 31, enters the scheduled fight as the WBC’s full super-middleweight champion. He drew with Lester Martinez in September 2025 while holding the interim title, then was elevated to full champion after Crawford retired and the division’s titles were fragmented, according to reports on the matchup. The draw ended a...