Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez regained the WBC super-middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on Saturday night. The bout took place at Kingdom Arena amid heightened security concerns following recent missile and drone attacks attributed to Iran-aligned Houthi forces on the Saudi capital.
Despite the volatile environment, which led to cancellations and postponements of several sporting events including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, Álvarez proceeded with the fight. The 36-year-old Mexican, competing for the first time in over a year, relied on his precise counter-punching and effective body shots to overcome Mbilli’s aggressive, high-volume attack. The judges scored the bout 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 in favor of Álvarez.
“I love boxing. That’s why I’m here, because I still love boxing and I enjoy it a lot,” Álvarez said after the fight. He also expressed pride in his team and reflected on his lengthy career, having first won a world title 16 years ago.
Mbilli, 31, who entered the fight with a record of 29 wins and one draw, applied relentless pressure and threw more punches but was ultimately outmatched by Álvarez’s cleaner and more accurate strikes, including a notable uppercut in the seventh round that visibly affected the French-based Cameroonian fighter.
The victory marks a significant rebound for Álvarez following his loss in September 2025 to Terence Crawford, which ended his run as the undisputed super-middleweight champion and handed him only the third defeat in his professional career. Mbilli, who had been elevated to full WBC champion after Crawford left the division, suffered the first loss of his career.
The fight took place just weeks after a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and injured over 300. A second projectile struck a passenger terminal the following day. In response to the security threats, some international airlines suspended operations to Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about civilian aviation safety.
Turki al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and a key figure in the kingdom’s boxing promotion efforts, said Álvarez personally assured him he would not withdraw from the fight despite the security risks. “Canelo reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens,” al-Sheikh stated on social media.
Saudi Arabia’s recent push to become a global hub for major sporting events, particularly boxing, has faced increasing scrutiny amid allegations of sportswashing and ongoing human rights concerns. The kingdom has invested heavily in attracting top-tier fighters as part of this strategy.
Álvarez appeared to allude to the extraordinary circumstances of the bout during his post-fight comments by thanking family members who were watching remotely. “I also want to thank my family, who are watching me from afar today for the first time,” he said, adding that his wife and children could not attend “due to certain circumstances,” though he did not provide further explanation.
With the win, Álvarez’s professional record improved to 64 wins, three losses, and two draws, reaffirming his status among the sport’s elite while ending Mbilli’s unbeaten streak.