Canelo Alvarez scored a crucial win over Christian Mbilli on Saturday, rebounding from a loss to Terence Crawford after 13 months out of the ring.
Alvarez outpointed Mbilli to take the WBC super-middleweight title from the Cameroonian, earning scorecards of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110. Those scores factored in a docked point for Mbilli in round eight, after the champion landed one low blow too many for the referee’s liking, but it would have been a comfortable win for Canelo regardless.
The Mexican icon was much more active than he had been in recent performances, starting well and – at times – matching the volume punching of Mbilli, who is known for his activity and had never lost before. Mbilli, 31, allowed that activity to dip at times on Saturday, and Canelo, 36, capitalised well.
Re-live the action and follow the fallout below:
Read MoreCanelo Alvarez keeps career alive with vital win over Christian Mbilli
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Canelo vs Mbilli LIVE
- Canelo Alvarez outpoints Christian Mbilli to win WBC super-middleweight belt
- Mexican icon’s first fight since loss to Terence Crawford 13 months ago
- Canelo’s finest showing in some time, with three comfortable scorecards
- Mbilli suffers first career defeat after docked point for low blow
- Fights go ahead in Riyadh, despite recent, deadly attacks on Saudi city
- Event billed as ‘Mexico vs Rest of the World’, with Mexicans quickly losing
- Action streamed live on DAZN pay-per-view and DAZN’s Ultimate Tier
Well, look who it is...
08:00 , Alex PattleOut of the ring for 13 months but still the same old Canelo. Respect.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 31, 2026
Did take a lot of punches though. We will dance my friend, we will dance.
A familiar sight
07:00 , Alex PattleOh Canelo wants all the smoke 💨
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026
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The moment Mbilli was docked a point
06:00 , Alex PattleCanelo had enough 🙅♂️
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026
🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeoyF5 | Live Now on DAZN | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/88igBBgfNT
Canelo trained alongside Usyk for this fight
05:00 , Alex PattleOleksandr Usyk congratulates his new training partner 🤝#CaneloMbilli | @Riyadhseason pic.twitter.com/qY5WgnejLK
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026
Canelo vs Mbilli in photos
04:00 , Alex PattleFinal seconds before the first bell, earlier tonight...
Canelo vs Mbilli in photos
03:00 , Alex PattleStill, Canelo made Mbilli miss a fair bit this evening...
Canelo vs Mbilli in photos
02:00 , Alex PattleMbilli did have his moments tonight. The DAZN commentary duo was a bit harsh on him.
Canelo vs Mbilli in photos
01:00 , Alex Pattle
The end of an interesting fight
23:59 , Alex Pattle"The king returns" 👑
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026
A dominant display from Canelo Alvarez in his comeback fight 👏
🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeo0Px | Live Now on DAZN | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/rAvwKECZks
The winning moment
23:47 , Alex PattleCanelo is back ‼️
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026
The Mexican is a world champion once again 🙌
🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeo0Px | Live Now on DAZN | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/jTziY7ywbo
Fight report in full
23:35 , Alex Pattle
Canelo Alvarez keeps career alive with vital win over Christian Mbilli
Canelo regains super-middleweight gold
23:22 , Alex PattleWatch Canelo speak
23:14 , Alex PattleCanelo reacts to his victory over Christian Mbilli 👀#CaneloMbilli | @Riyadhseason pic.twitter.com/i41OxdNEVH
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026
Canelo calm amid the chaos
23:06 , Alex Pattle
If you're just joining...
23:01 , Alex PattleCanelo Alvarez has scored a crucial win over Christian Mbilli, rebounding from a loss to Terence Crawford after 13 months out of the ring.
Alvarez outpointed Mbilli to take the WBC super-middleweight title from the Cameroonian, earning scorecards of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110.
Those scores factored in a docked point for Mbilli in round eight, after the champion landed one low blow too many for the referee’s liking, but it would have been a comfortable win for Canelo regardless.
The Mexican icon was much more active than he had been in recent performances, starting well and – at times – matching the volume punching of Mbilli, who is known for his activity.
Mbilli, 31, allowed that activity to dip here and there on Saturday, and Canelo, 36, capitalised well.
More from Canelo
22:56 , Alex PattleCanelo says his wife teased him that he shouldn’t come home if he didn’t win the title.
He also says he was told by his team to stick to the basics.
“No, [nothing surprised me]. I knew he’s a strong fighter, and he didn’t throw a lot of punches because it’s difficult to throw punches with me.”
He’s referring to the fact that Mbilli, a volume puncher, let that volume dip at times tonight.
“I did perfectly,” Canelo adds, before saying he’ll rest up and be back soon.
Canelo reacts to victory
22:52 , Alex Pattle“It’s so difficult to explain. It’s something unbelievable. This feels like my first title, now after 21 years as a professional; 16 years ago I won my first title, now I won the title again.
“I’m so proud, so proud of my team. They made me the champion I am.”
CANELO WINS – AND NEWWWW!
22:49 , Alex PattleCanelo Alvarez def. Christian Mbilli via unanimous decision (115-112, 116-111, 117-110)
It’s comfortable, it’s clear, and it’s Canelo.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round 12
22:46 , Alex PattleFinal round.
Powerful jab from Canelo then a grazing hook. Mbilli just misses with his own hook. Brilliant defence from Canelo in the corner.
Terrific cross from Mbilli! But that concrete chin of Canelo is indifferent. Canelo even taps his chest and beckons on the champion.
Mbilli lands big again, but only after a fair few misses, and Canelo is ensuring he stays in these exchanges as well.
Great cross by Canelo. Mbilli misses with a hook in a frenzied finish.
This one is surely Canelo’s, especially with the cushion of Mbilli’s earlier point deduction.
Don’t get me wrong: I don’t necessarily think it will or should be a wiiiiide decision in his face, but comfortable.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round 11
22:41 , Alex PattleInto the championship rounds!
The action is better in this frame. Credit to Mbilli; he is trying to finish well.
But this is a better Canelo than we’ve seen in a while, and his own activity has been really encouraging this evening.
A decent right lands for Mbilli. Canelo stares him down, as if to say: ‘I’m not bothered.’
Nice uppercut and hook by Canelo on the counter. Cleannnn cross by Mbilli just on the bell.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round 10
22:37 , Alex PattleA rapid left hook barely misses for Mbilli.
He’s trying to keep up the volume, but Canelo is smartly matching him in that realm at the moment.
The pace slows for a while, and again: when Mbilli picks it back up, Canelo does the same.
Mbilli ends the round well, and I’ll say he justttt takes this one...
Canelo leads 6-4, including the 10-8?
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round nine
22:34 , Alex PattleMbilli knows he needs to work hard to win this now. He starts this round with a ton of activity, varying his targets and his shot selection.
Canelo does need to stay switched on to ensure he doesn’t let late rounds slip away.
But the Mexican is throwing single punches, with mixed success.
Decent right hook from Mbilli. Cute one-two from Canelo, well timed.
Good head movement from Mbilli, much better work – in and out.
I’ll say 6-3 to Canelo, including that 10-8 in round eight.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Point docked in round eight
22:29 , Alex PattleMbilli comes forward, but Canelo’s offence is the better work, despite his back being to the ropes.
Mbilli lands a long left hook to the body, but he’s not finding enough clean shots.
He lands low, and he gets another warning...
The action resumes, and Mbilli really tees off. It’s better stuff, but he lands low AGAIN – and he has a point docked.
That could be terminal for his chances of winning...
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round seven
22:25 , Alex PattleMbilli misses with a flurry, but he lands a left hook to the body on the end of it.
Mbilli stalks Canelo. Decent right hands by the Mexican while going backwards.
Mbilli lands a left hook to the body. Good jab by Canelo.
A period of inactivity follows from both; maybe they’re taking a breather.
They get going again. Both land, with Canelo’s uppercut proving the best shot in one exchange.
Mbilli with a better spell, but he’s breathing heavily.
Canelo is countering well all the while, and he lands a BIGGG uppercut again! Mbilli tries to laugh it off, but that’s Canelo’s round, and the best punch of the fight.
For my money, Canelo is 5-2 up.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round six
22:20 , Alex PattleI’d say Canelo 3-2 Mbilli is fair. Some media members online are siding with Mbilli, per DAZN, but I don’t see it.
Great counters by Canelo now! But Mbilli lands a short overhand.
Another pair of heavy shots by Canelo with his back to the ropes. Lovely flurry by Canelo follows. He throws upstairs, then Mbilli retaliates in kind, going to the body.
Uppercut from Mbilli. Hook to the ribs by Canelo, then another. Mbilli sees a couple of lefts blocked.
Cleannnnnn right from Canelo. Mbilli shakes his head, which actually means: ‘Yeah, that was nice.’
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round five
22:17 , Alex PattleCanelo turns his chin to watch a jab whizz by. He presses forward, thwacks the body with a right hook, then steps back to avoid a cross.
Another right hook has Mbilli slightly off balance! Now a pair of hooks, both blocked.
Mbilli kind of traps the back of Canelo’s head and fires off a couple of punches, with the ref giving him a light warning.
Mbilli steps in and lands a hook, but there’s not much juice to it. Decent jab by Mbilli now, however.
Canelo looks at the ref for protection after an apparent low blow.
Mbilli backs up Canelo and tees off to the body, then goes upstairs. Canelo fires back but it’s a one-off shot, then another some time later.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round four
22:12 , Alex PattleCanelo misses with a hook but evades all of Mbilli’s follow-up shots.
Mbilli jabs well, but Canelo returns the favour. Now a cross thuds the Cameroonian’s guard.
Canelo tries an uppercut while leaning against the ropes, and Mbilli replies with a one-two to the body. Decent check hook by Canelo.
Canelo with a left hook then a right – the second punch is cleaner. Mbilli laughs, then chases Canelo but to no avail.
Grazing uppercut by Canelo, but Mbilli times a cross in response.
Now a flurry from Mbilli late in the round, but it shouldn’t be enough to take the round.
3-1 to Canelo, most likely.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round three
22:08 , Alex PattleA slower start to this round, though it’s Canelo prowling around. Mbilli justttt tags him with a counter cross.
Now Canelo lands a counter cross. Mbilli smothers Canelo and digs to the body with a combination.
Canelo comes forward and lands two right hooks – one is alright, the next is a better shot.
More activity from Canelo now, including a left hook to the body, then a single, precise cross.
Mbilli tries to turn the tide with activity, and Canelo waves him forward. Mbilli backs off, refusing to take the bait.
But when he goes back in, he’s made to miss, and Canelo smirks. “Come on,” Canelo appears to say.
This is fun, but Canelo needs to get throwing again. Good counter uppercut from him.
Close round, probably Canelo’s. 2-1 in his favour?
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round two
22:04 , Alex PattleCanelo eases forward with his lead hand low. He’s firing the jab from his hip. Mbilli looks a little wary. This is a more positive approach from Canelo than we’ve seen in a while.
Clever uppercut by Canelo after making Mbilli miss. The Mexican slides back to take the venom off a body cross. Mbilli just about gets behind Canelo’s ear with a right hook.
Now some quick, short straights by Mbilli – better work.
Oh! Bigggg right hook by Canelo. It beats the guard. But Mbilli fires back with another cluster of quick punches; not too powerful, but landing.
Canelo misses with a fierce hook effort. Canelo leans back and avoids a cross. Canelo sticks him with a jab.
Mbilli lands again, then adds an uppercut. Canelo lands to the body three times in a row – hook, uppercut, cross.
Still, a better rounds from Mbilli. He might have stolen it, but it’s hard to say.
Canelo vs Mbilli: Round one
22:00 , Alex PattleBoth men stand orthodox. Mbilli flicks out a jab and then leans forward and back, trying to tease something out of the Mexican. Canelo is just having a look so far.
A jab gets through for Mbilli. Canelo fires off a cross, the worst of which Mbilli is able to avoid. Another heavy shot from Canelo, partially blocked, then a jab.
Mbilli jabs, getting in and out quickly. Canelo tests the guard with a lead left hook, and another. Lovely timing on a counter jab by Canelo. Now a heavy right hook almost creeps around Mbilli’s guard.
Mbilli presses forward, cornering Canelo and getting a warning for landing a left hook too low. Another right hook by Canelo is just off-target.
Mbilli is really biting on Canelo’s feints. Picture-perfect jab from Canelo, who just about evades one from the champion. Another fine Canelo jab.
He slides back to avoid a one-two, then covers up to defend himself from another couple. Nice flurry from Mbilli late in the round, but nothing landed too cleanly.
Good chopping shot by Canelo to end the round, which is his.
Canelo vs Mbilli moments away
21:31 , Alex PattleIt’s nearly main-event time: Canelo Alvarez challenges Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight title.
Mexico’s Canelo will fight for the first time in 13 months, having undergone elbow surgery after his points loss to Terence Crawford last year. Mbilli is also boxing for the first time since that night, having drawn with Lester Martinez on the undercard.
Mbilli, 31, was the interim WBC super-middleweight champion until Crawford retired in December, at which point the unbeaten Cameroon was elevated.
A loss for Canelo here could signal the start of the end, for a fighter who has long been the face of boxing. How much does the 36-year-old have left?
We’ll find out very shortly...
Munguia retains title with Canelo out next
21:25 , Alex PattleJaime Munguia def. Nikita Zon via unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 117-111)
Okay, the Mexican retains his WBA super-middleweight title!
Now it’s over to his compatriot Canelo to take the WBC belt from Mbilli...
Munguia vs Zon: Chaos in round six!!
20:58 , Alex PattleCredit to Zon, he looks for a positive response, letting his hands go early on. All the while, Munguia comes forward with a high guard.
Lovely counter rear uppercut by Zon, and suddenly Munguia is stumbling backwards??!! Two miunutes to go!!
Zon is swarming Munguia, but he won’t go down yet...
Now Munguia drops to his knees, BUT it’s from an illegal shot – no knockdown.
OH!!!! Huge right hooks by Zon, and the ref is considering stepping in... A left now... but Munguia is throwing back intermittently...
An uppercut gets through for Zon, but Munguia comes back like a zombie and lands a hook and a one-two! MASSIVE punches.
Again Munguia drops, but it’s from a shove.
Munguia with brilliant output now, a lengthy combination.
The bell sounds. Incredible round.
Munguia vs Zon: Russian in trouble late in round five!
20:54 , Alex PattleLots of feinting from both guys, with Munguia backed up against the ropes. Slick jab by the Mexican after he gets into the open.
Now a long uppercut to the body. Zon comes forward in a Philly shell, almost begging Munguia to throw, to allow a counter.
Bad bruising on the left cheek of Zon, who lands a swift counter jab. Still, it’s Munguia pressing forward now.
Oh!! And it pays off, he wobbles Zon with a long right hook and follows up with a huge cross!
It’s late in the round, though, and Zon just makes it to the bell – but only after eating a piston pair of straight shots at the last moment...
Mexico has already lost the ‘Rest of the World’ contest
19:25 , Alex PattleThat’s another win for Mexico, one way or another, but they’ve already lost to the ‘Rest of the World’ tonight!
They’re down 5-2, with two fights left to go.
Can Jaime Munguia and Canelo at least narrow the gap and restore some pride?
Looking back at Canelo’s last fight
17:47 , Alex PattleCanelo last boxed 13 months ago, when he was comprehensively outclassed by generational great Terence Crawford.
The Independent was present at Las Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium to see Crawford take the undisputed super-middleweight belts from Canelo – with the career-defining win marking Crawford’s last bout before retirement.
Here’s how the American overcame a large, natural weight disparity to make history, as the modern era’s only three-weight undisputed king:
The moment Crawford provided the ultimate twist to break Canelo
Why is Canelo boxing in Riyadh? True fight has been against common sense
17:38 , Alex PattlePreview from earlier this week:
Sometimes, it’s nice to be the bearer of good news: there are still unsold tickets to Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli, if you’re interested. Live on Saturday 31 October from the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What? Oh, the missiles. Hmm. But £41.85 is a pretty good price for the upper tier; it’s a small venue, so you’ll have a clear view of the ring, provided no part of the roof collapses onto it amid Houthi fire.
I might be struggling to convince you. That’s fine, some people have just enough of a taste for violence that they’ll watch two boxers lay heavy leather into welting skin (I’ll avert my gaze and raise my hand), but they draw the line at travelling to an active warzone to watch the action. To each their own.
In all seriousness, sarcasm can convey the ridiculousness of the decision to push ahead with Saturday’s sporting event, but it shouldn’t belie the danger at hand...
Will Canelo box in Riyadh? The true fight has been a dangerous battle vs common sense
The controversy around the fights, explained
17:31 , Alex PattleThe organisation of this fight card had been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, due to numerous deadly attacks on Riyadh’s airports. Per Saudi authorities, more than 300 people have been left injured and at least 21 dead, due to strikes by the Yemen-aligned Houthis.
The international airport was reopened, but the US Department of State urged citizens to “reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of drone and missile targeting”, while areas near the Yemen border were listed as such: “do not travel due to terrorism”.
Despite these attacks, Saudi adviser and boxing matchmaker Turki Alalshikh continued to promote the fight, and he tweeted earlier this month, “[Canelo] fears nothing,” adding: “My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilisation, deep history and kind-hearted people.” Canelo arrived in Riyadh on Monday and said in a video on Alalshikh’s X account: “I love to be here in Riyadh, and I’m excited to fight on Saturday.”
However, one undercard bout was cancelled, as first reported by journalist Dan Rafael, who said Lindolfo Delgado would “probably not” face Arthur Biyarslanov; Delgado and his team had reportedly not made travel plans, although Biyarslanov had already arrived in Riyadh. Rafael also said that broadcaster DAZN would likely present the event from a studio in London.
