Canelo Alvarez regains WBC super-middleweight title with unanimous decision over Christian Mbilli

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Canelo Alvarez regained the WBC super-middleweight championship on Saturday night, using precise counterpunching and a strong second-half performance to defeat Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision.

The judges scored the fight 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 for Alvarez, who handed Mbilli his first professional defeat. Alvarez improved to 64-3-2, while Mbilli fell to 29-1-1.

Returning for the first time since losing his undisputed championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025, the 36-year-old Mexican became a world champion again.

The victory carried significance beyond the belt. Alvarez faced questions about whether his championship years had ended with the Crawford defeat. Against an unbeaten opponent whose pressure presented a test of his ability to sustain his work, Alvarez put together combinations and found the accuracy to take charge as the fight progressed.

“Oh, it’s so difficult to explain,” Alvarez said. “It’s something unbelievable.”

Mbilli’s pressure and greater activity made the opening half competitive, particularly as he pushed Alvarez toward the ropes. Alvarez answered with body punches and counters, then began finding greater success in the sixth with a right uppercut and straight right.

The change was in the rhythm of the exchanges. Alvarez increasingly made Mbilli respond to his punches…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business