RIYADH: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez produced a convincing performance to defeat French fighter Christian Mbilli and regain his WBC super middleweight title in an emotional victory in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The 36-year-old Mexican won a 12-round decision 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 Houthi movement.
Alvarez was returning to the ring for the first time since he was beaten by American Terence Crawford in September 2025. He faced 31-year-old Mbilli, who was elevated to titleholder in January, but a fight that started off as a tight contest turned into a convincing victory for Alvarez.
The Mexican superstar was struggling for words after receiving the belt.
“It’s so difficult to explain, it’s so difficult to explain,” Alvarez said. “It’s something unbelievable. It feels like my first title. Now, after 20, 21 years as a professional — 16 years ago, I won my first title. Now I won the title again.”
A host of other sporting events have been called off in Saudi Arabia since the Houthis launched drone attacks and the Saudis intercepted missiles.
The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition and the final round of the World Rally Championship have been cancelled but the world of combat sports has continued. Alvarez was the more composed boxer in the opening round in Riyadh but by round three Mbilli was ripping off combinations and looking the more active of the two.
The Frenchman took the initiative in round five although the bout remained a tactical battle.
Alvarez showed his class in the sixth, easily winning the round, but it was in the seventh that he pressed home his advantage, pinning Mbilli to the ropes and delivering a right uppercut that had the Frenchman rocking on his feet.
In the eighth, Mbilli had a point taken away for punching behind the head and he seemed to lose more momentum from then on, allowing Alvarez to begin dictating the fight in the next round as the wily veteran pulled ahead of his younger opponent.
Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2026
