Canelo Alvarez to Face Christian Mbilli in Riyadh for WBC Super‑Middleweight Title

Mexican champion Canelo Alvarez is slated to fight French‑based champion Christian Mbilli in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the WBC super‑middleweight title. The bout will be Alvarez’s first appearance since his unanimous‑decision loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025, which cost him the undisputed championship. Mbilli was elevated from interim to full champion after Crawford’s retirement.

Trainer Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, who coached Lester Martinez in a recent draw with Mbilli, warned that the fight will be a severe test for Alvarez, questioning whether the Mexican star voluntarily accepted the challenge or was motivated by a guaranteed purse from Saudi patron Turki Alalshikh. McIntyre also noted Martinez’s upcoming interim‑title defence on 29 August, which could set up a future shot at the winner of the Alvarez‑Mbilli clash.