Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 2026

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CANELO-MBILLI ON DAZN

The September 12 WBC super middleweight title clash between Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli in Riyadh will stream live on DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate.

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CANELO-MBILLI ON DAZN

The September 12 WBC super middleweight title clash between Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli in Riyadh will stream live on DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate.

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Presser live now

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Christian Mbilli previews Canelo fight

After years of waiting and anticipation, the biggest fight in the history of Quebec boxing is now official.

The new WBC super middleweight world champion, Christian Mbilli, will defend his title on the grandest stage on September 12, when he takes on Mexican legend Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“Canelo Alvarez is the greatest test of my life—a life of effort, perseverance, and hard work that has prepared me for this moment. On September 12, I promise to etch my name into the history of the sport by delivering a war like you’ve never seen,” said the reigning WBC super middleweight world champion, Christian “Solide” Mbilli.

On the road to #CaneloMbilli, Montreal’s Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) will have faced no fewer than five top-10 contenders from one of the major sanctioning bodies. He won a war against Ecuadorian puncher Carlos Góngora, stopped Australian brawler Rohan Murdock, clearly outclassed Ukrainian technician Sergiy Derevyanchenko, and destroyed Polish veteran Maciej Sulecki in the first round.

After becoming interim champion against Sulecki, he successfully defended his title against the dangerous Guatemalan Lester Martinez in a bout broadcast on Netflix in front of nearly 40 million viewers on the undercard of #CaneloCrawford.

In addition to being named Fight of the Night, the Mbilli vs. Martinez clash was later awarded Fight of the Year by the WBC. In the months that followed, with the retirement of Terence Crawford and Hamzah Sheeraz declining to face Mbilli for the vacant title, the WBC elevated its interim champion—Mbilli—to full world champion status.

The new champion, trained by Marc Ramsay, now has a date with the Mexican fighter, currently ranked the WBC’s No. 1 contender—a position long held by Mbilli himself.

“We’ve been trying for years to make the fight between Christian Mbilli and ‘Canelo’ happen, and now you finally understand why September 12. The event is called ‘Mexico vs. The World’ and will take place in Saudi Arabia, but that night, we’ll be fighting for all of Quebec,” said EOTTM president Camille Estephan.

For a rare time in his career—and for the first time since 2022—Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) will enter the ring as the challenger against Mbilli.

Over a professional career spanning more than 20 years, the 35-year-old Mexican has captured 14 world titles and competed in 24 world championship bouts across four weight divisions.

At super middleweight, he became the first undisputed champion in the division’s history in 2021, reigning at the top of the 168-pound class until September 2025, when he was defeated by Terence Crawford.

Mbilli will be the 15th undefeated fighter Alvarez has faced in his career, having handed a first loss to 11 of them so far.

The #CaneloMbilli event, presented by Riyadh Season, will also be broadcast globally on DAZN PPV on September 12.

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Christian Mbilli previews Canelo fight

After years of waiting and anticipation, the biggest fight in the history of Quebec boxing is now official.

The new WBC super middleweight world champion, Christian Mbilli, will defend his title on the grandest stage on September 12, when he takes on Mexican legend Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“Canelo Alvarez is the greatest test of my life—a life of effort, perseverance, and hard work that has prepared me for this moment. On September 12, I promise to etch my name into the history of the sport by delivering a war like you’ve never seen,” said the reigning WBC super middleweight world champion, Christian “Solide” Mbilli.

On the road to #CaneloMbilli, Montreal’s Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) will have faced no fewer than five top-10 contenders from one of the major sanctioning bodies. He won a war against Ecuadorian puncher Carlos Góngora, stopped Australian brawler Rohan Murdock, clearly outclassed Ukrainian technician Sergiy Derevyanchenko, and destroyed Polish veteran Maciej Sulecki in the first round.

After becoming interim champion against Sulecki, he successfully defended his title against the dangerous Guatemalan Lester Martinez in a bout broadcast on Netflix in front of nearly 40 million viewers on the undercard of #CaneloCrawford.

In addition to being named Fight of the Night, the Mbilli vs. Martinez clash was later awarded Fight of the Year by the WBC. In the months that followed, with the retirement of Terence Crawford and Hamzah Sheeraz declining to face Mbilli for the vacant title, the WBC elevated its interim champion—Mbilli—to full world champion status.

The new champion, trained by Marc Ramsay, now has a date with the Mexican fighter, currently ranked the WBC’s No. 1 contender—a position long held by Mbilli himself.

“We’ve been trying for years to make the fight between Christian Mbilli and ‘Canelo’ happen, and now you finally understand why September 12. The event is called ‘Mexico vs. The World’ and will take place in Saudi Arabia, but that night, we’ll be fighting for all of Quebec,” said EOTTM president Camille Estephan.

For a rare time in his career—and for the first time since 2022—Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) will enter the ring as the challenger against Mbilli.

Over a professional career spanning more than 20 years, the 35-year-old Mexican has captured 14 world titles and competed in 24 world championship bouts across four weight divisions.

At super middleweight, he became the first undisputed champion in the division’s history in 2021, reigning at the top of the 168-pound class until September 2025, when he was defeated by Terence Crawford.

Mbilli will be the 15th undefeated fighter Alvarez has faced in his career, having handed a first loss to 11 of them so far.

The #CaneloMbilli event, presented by Riyadh Season, will also be broadcast globally on DAZN PPV on September 12.

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Mbilli: Canelo will regret fighting me; Alvarez gives foe no chance

Christian Mbilli and Canelo Alvarez had a cordial press conference last week in Egypt, but after a few feeling-out rounds, the action picked up as they started trading verbal shots.

Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs), the WBC super middleweight champion, will defend his title against Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) on September 12 to headline a “Mexico vs. The World” card in Saudi Arabia.

“He's a champion and a dangerous fighter. He throws a lot of punches, he's strong, and I like that kind of fight. I love it [that he's going to come right at me and not be constantly moving],” said Alvarez.

“In my mind, he has zero percent [chance to beat me]. ... He says it's the perfect time because I am old, and this and that. I'll say to him that if I was 50 years old, you still could not beat me. In this life, he cannot beat me.”

Mbilli is coming off a majority draw in a war with Lester Martinez in September on the undercard of the former undisputed 168-pound champion Alvarez’s unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford. Mbilli, from Cameroon, was the WBC interim champion at the time but was elevated once Crawford was stripped by the sanctioning body days before his planned retirement.

Mbilli, 31, envisions another war against a “very old” Alvarez and doesn’t believe the soon-to-be 36-year-old can handle his high-volume pressure.

“I have a good style to beat Canelo. I am an amazing fighter. I have good power and speed. I have all of the abilities to beat Canelo and win this fight,” said Mbilli.

“I don't care about his age. It's about our abilities to box. I think it's the perfect time for me. … I'm not changing my style. I will put pressure, and we are going to see if he can deal with this.

"Be ready – you're going to be surprised in September. You will regret being in that ring. … It will be an incredible show and an incredible night and a fight of a decade.”

Alvarez was quick with his quips and cut off Mbilli on the mic, something he won’t have to do in the ring in what could be a phone-booth type fight.

“No, you're going to be surprised,” said Alvarez. “You're going to see different things, buddy. I am not your opponents who comes to France and makes it easy for you. C'mon bro. … I am so confident. I am always confident because I know where I am, how I train, how I feel, and how good I am. ... I still want it like I was when I was 15 years old.”

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Mbilli: Canelo will regret fighting me; Alvarez gives foe no chance

Christian Mbilli and Canelo Alvarez had a cordial press conference last week in Egypt, but after a few feeling-out rounds, the action picked up as they started trading verbal shots.

Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs), the WBC super middleweight champion, will defend his title against Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) on September 12 to headline a “Mexico vs. The World” card in Saudi Arabia.

“He's a champion and a dangerous fighter. He throws a lot of punches, he's strong, and I like that kind of fight. I love it [that he's going to come right at me and not be constantly moving],” said Alvarez.

“In my mind, he has zero percent [chance to beat me]. ... He says it's the perfect time because I am old, and this and that. I'll say to him that if I was 50 years old, you still could not beat me. In this life, he cannot beat me.”

Mbilli is coming off a majority draw in a war with Lester Martinez in September on the undercard of the former undisputed 168-pound champion Alvarez’s unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford. Mbilli, from Cameroon, was the WBC interim champion at the time but was elevated once Crawford was stripped by the sanctioning body days before his planned retirement.

Mbilli, 31, envisions another war against a “very old” Alvarez and doesn’t believe the soon-to-be 36-year-old can handle his high-volume pressure.

“I have a good style to beat Canelo. I am an amazing fighter. I have good power and speed. I have all of the abilities to beat Canelo and win this fight,” said Mbilli.

“I don't care about his age. It's about our abilities to box. I think it's the perfect time for me. … I'm not changing my style. I will put pressure, and we are going to see if he can deal with this.

"Be ready – you're going to be surprised in September. You will regret being in that ring. … It will be an incredible show and an incredible night and a fight of a decade.”

Alvarez was quick with his quips and cut off Mbilli on the mic, something he won’t have to do in the ring in what could be a phone-booth type fight.

“No, you're going to be surprised,” said Alvarez. “You're going to see different things, buddy. I am not your opponents who comes to France and makes it easy for you. C'mon bro. … I am so confident. I am always confident because I know where I am, how I train, how I feel, and how good I am. ... I still want it like I was when I was 15 years old.”

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‘His performance is going down’: Christian Mbilli sees decline in Canelo Alvarez

Christian Mbilli believes his relentless aggression will be too much for Canelo to deal with.



Mbilli on getting this chance at Canelo
“It was a surprise for me when they asked for the fight, but I’m very happy to fight Canelo for my next fight…after contract negotiation finish, we sign very fast.

“He started [boxing professionally at] 15 years old, he have a lot of fights now. I think his performance is going down but he’s still very dangerous. I think it’s a perfect timing for me to beat him.”

On the style matchup
“I’m a very dangerous fighter for him, but I have to be careful too because he’s Canelo. He’s not like a small boxer. But I think I will make a very big statement with this fight, and I’m very dangerous for him.

“I’m going to put more pressure, more combination, but I’m going to work my defense, too. I’m in the ring to put on great show, to make amazing fight, and will be the same for Canelo.

“I will not chance anything [about how I approach the fight]. I will throw punch the first second and last second of the fight and I hope he will be ready because I think it will be amazing fight for him. I think he will regret to be in the ring.

“It will be like Christian Mbilli 200%. It will not be the normal Christian Mbilli, will be Super Christian Mbilli.”

[PRINCEKOOL]

Canelo Alvarez will win the fight 'but I would have much rather of seen him comeback at 175 pounds. As I think one of the major contributing factors as to why he lost vs. Terrence Crawford, is because at this stage of his career? He is dead at the weight of 168 pounds'.

Note: Historically many people would claim that 168 pounds is Canelo Alvarez's best weight 'but how he fought vs. Crawford appeared to me like he was completely drained. His endurance was worst than ever, and even his power seemed lacking'.

To conclude: All the remaining big fights in Canelo Alvarez's career in my opinion are all at 175 pounds 'David Benavidez, Dmirty Bivol II, and Artur Beterbiev. And training to hit a limit of 175 pounds, may have given him a boast in his preparation at this stage of his career. As he would be less weight drained'.

His endurance and overall conditioning can definitively be more fortified at 175 pounds, which would increase the likely-hood of winning'.

Note: I did not vote on the poll etc.

[Sendo Takeshi]

I just think he is washed. He is not who he used to be ~7-8 years ago (in addition to that Bud is just more skilled).

That's why I think Mbilli has a real chance to beat him. I think he would get destroyed at Light heavyweight against Bivol, Beterbiev and Benavidez.

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Christian Mbilli wants to destroy ‘very dangerous’ Canelo

When Christian Mbilli steps into the ring on September 12, he’ll be standing across from someone who was once the clear-cut best super middleweight in the world and atop many pound-for-pound lists.

The question of whether Canelo Alvarez is the same guy will likely be answered when he faces Mbilli for his WBC super middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on DAZN PPV. Mbilli doesn’t believe Alvarez is the same fighter who ruled at 168 pounds from 2020 to 2025, though he isn’t underestimating him.

“I think his performance is going down, but he's still very dangerous,” Mbilli said on the Mr. Verzace Podcast. “I think it's a very perfect timing for me to beat him.”

Mbilli, 31, last fought to a split draw against Lester Martinez to retain the interim WBC super middleweight title on the undercard of Alvarez’s unanimous decision defeat to Terence Crawford on September 13 in Las Vegas. While his brutal 10-round clash with Martinez (20-0-1, 16 KOs), The Ring’s No. 4-ranked super middleweight, was a "Fight of the Year" contender, the Quebec-based Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) said he was far from 100 percent due to the rapid turnaround he had to make after his first-round stoppage of Maciej Sulecki on June 27.

Mbilli, The Ring’s No. 3-ranked super middleweight, was elevated to full champion in December after Terence Crawford was stripped of the title. The Cameroonian will be coming off a one-year layoff for just the second time in his career, and with the extra time to prepare, he believes he’ll reach another level against Alvarez.

“I will not change anything,” Mbilli said. “I will punch the first second and the last second of the fight. I hope he will be ready, because it will be an amazing fight for him. I think he will regret to be in the ring.”

Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs), 35, hasn’t fought since his loss to Crawford and underwent left elbow surgery in October, which delayed his return. Before then, the Mexican was undefeated in 12 fights at 168 pounds.

Alvarez, a four-division titleholder and two-time undisputed super middleweight champion, is The Ring’s No. 1-ranked super middleweight.
For Mbilli, Alvarez represents the biggest fight and likely the toughest challenge of his career. On the other side of the coin, Alvarez is looking to prove he has one last run left in him before his illustrious career comes to an end.

Ultimately, Mbilli believes his pressure style and ability to fight at a relentless pace will lead to him emphatically starting his reign in the super middleweight division.

“My aggressiveness, my pressure, he never fought people who throw a lot of punches like me and put a lot of pressure,” Mbilli said. “Physically, I want to destroy him.”

[MPW]

Alvarez has seemingly just gone through the motions in his fights over the last couple years, almost as if he's uninterested. While he had some success, Crawford nullified a lot of what he tried to do; Scull had no desire to fight, and Alvarez had no desire to chase him around the ring; while Berlanga and Munguia fought like star struck kids meeting their idol and were just happy to be there.

The "Canelo Advantage" aside, another performance like those won't cut it against Mbilli, who will apply constant pressure for all 12 rounds. However, that style should lend itself well to Alvarez's counters. And that begs the question: can Alvarez do that for the entire fight or do enough damage to persuade Mbilli to abandon his forward-only style?

[PRINCEKOOL]

You really have to give credit to Canelo Alvarez 'for jumping back into the game in a World title fight. Win or lose his career has been very impressive, and his form consistent'.

Note: Interesting once again, that he has not decided to move back up into the 175 pound divisions 'maybe? Since Terrence Crawford has retired he believes he can once again become an undisputed Champion in the Super Middle Weight Divisions'.

To conclude: Christian Mbilli will be right there to be hit by Canelo Alvarez 'while the fight last it will be potentially very violent. Stylistically I just believe that it is a fight straight up Canelo Alvarez's street, and one he can win if he is able to get himself in top condition' etc.

[Cent0089]

I find it weird how people talking about how Mbilli is tailor made for Canelo. At peak prime, high volume power puncher with excellent stamina, amateur olympic pedigree, who can also take a punch isnt tailor made for NOBODY

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Mbilli hopes to capitalize on life-changing Canelo chance

Some opportunities extend beyond what could happen inside the squared circle.

For Christian Mbilli, facing Canelo Alvarez in the first defense of his WBC super middleweight title represents more than the biggest fight of his career when they clash in a DAZN Pay-Per-View/DAZN Ultimate main event September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s an opportunity that could alter the course of the lives of him and his family.

“This fight will change my life,” Mbilli said on the most recent episode of the “Mr. Verzace Podcast,” hosted by The Ring CEO, Rick Reeno. “After this fight, it will change the lives of many of the generations of Mbilli.”

The 31-year-old Mbilli, of Yaounde, Cameroon, was elevated from interim to full champion in December after Terence Crawford was stripped of the title. He became the WBC interim champion thanks to a first-round stoppage of Maciej Sulecki on June 27.

The Quebec-based Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3-ranked super middleweight, fought to a split draw with Lester Martinez in a “Fight of the Year” contender in his last fight, on the undercard of Crawford’s unanimous-decision victory over Alvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The 35-year-old Alvarez hasn’t fought since losing his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts to Crawford. The Guadalajara, Mexico, native, who is The Ring’s No. 1-ranked super middleweight, underwent surgery on his left elbow in October, which delayed his return.

“I think I’m a very dangerous fighter for him, but I have to be careful, too, because it’s Canelo,“ Mbilli said. “He’s not a small boxer, but I think I will make a statement this fight.”

The super middleweight division is as open as it has been since Alvarez’s run from 2020 to 2025, during which he went unbeaten in 12 fights and twice became the undisputed champion. A win for Alvarez would be one of his most impressive at super middleweight, given his age and the challenge that Mbilli presents.

If Mbilli were to hand Alvarez his second straight loss, though, it’d mark a changing of the guard in one of boxing’s best divisions.

“In September, it will be my time,“ Mbilli said. “In September, I will be the face of the super middleweight division.”

[PRINCEKOOL]

I find it weird how people talking about how Mbilli is tailor made for Canelo. At peak prime, high volume power puncher with excellent stamina, amateur olympic pedigree, who can also take a punch isnt tailor made for NOBODY

From what I have seen of Christian Mbilli, he can hardly move inside the boxing ring 'his movement is under-par, and his actual general overall speed, and punching speed is also not elite'.

Note: Those are the two main attributes which have always given Canelo Alvarez the most trouble 'movement, elite level athleticism, and punch combination speed'.

And when I say trouble? When he has been faced with those attributes it has not been 'like those fighters have all blown him away'.

Floyd Mayweather Junior, Dmitry BIvol, and Terrence Crawford 'have all beaten Canelo Alvarez, but they did not knock him out. I think Mayweather Junior was outside of his peak, but if he really wanted to in that fight? He could have pushed for a stoppage'.

Overall if a fighter does not really possess elite level movement, athleticism, and speed 'combined with a very high level of skill. I think that type of fighter is always going to be stylistically in a very difficult fight vs. Canelo Alvarez'.

Christian Mbilli skill for skill 'in my opinion is not a elite level fighter. I would not be surprised if he struggles to win a single round vs. Canelo Alvarez' etc.

[MPW]

I find it weird how people talking about how Mbilli is tailor made for Canelo. At peak prime, high volume power puncher with excellent stamina, amateur olympic pedigree, who can also take a punch isnt tailor made for NOBODY

From what I have seen of Christian Mbilli, he can hardly move inside the boxing ring 'his movement is under-par, and his actual general overall speed, and punching speed is also not elite'.

Note: Those are the two main attributes which have always given Canelo Alvarez the most trouble 'movement, elite level athleticism, and punch combination speed'.

And when I say trouble? When he has been faced with those attributes it has not been 'like those fighters have all blown him away'.

Floyd Mayweather Junior, Dmitry BIvol, and Terrence Crawford 'have all beaten Canelo Alvarez, but they did not knock him out. I think Mayweather Junior was outside of his peak, but if he really wanted to in that fight? He could have pushed for a stoppage'.

Overall if a fighter does not really possess elite level movement, athleticism, and speed 'combined with a very high level of skill. I think that type of fighter is always going to be stylistically in a very difficult fight vs. Canelo Alvarez'.

Christian Mbilli skill for skill 'in my opinion is not a elite level fighter. I would not be surprised if he struggles to win a single round vs. Canelo Alvarez' etc.

I understand and agree with what you're saying about the type of fighter who has given Alvarez problems in the past. While not a slick mover and shaker, Mbilli will apply constant pressure for all 12 rounds and does have some pop on his punches. In addition, Alvarez doesn't seem to possess the non-stop motor he used to have and has been selectively busy during recent bouts.

To me, that's the intriguing part about this fight. Can Mbilli apply effective pressure for the duration of the bout and make Alvarez fight for all three minutes of all 12 rounds? Can Alvarez effectively counter punch to blunt Mbilli's attack and go on the offensive for longer than 10 to 15 seconds at a stretch? Mbilli will be there to be hit, but can Alvarez take advantage of that in the back half of the fight?

[PRINCEKOOL]

I find it weird how people talking about how Mbilli is tailor made for Canelo. At peak prime, high volume power puncher with excellent stamina, amateur olympic pedigree, who can also take a punch isnt tailor made for NOBODY

From what I have seen of Christian Mbilli, he can hardly move inside the boxing ring 'his movement is under-par, and his actual general overall speed, and punching speed is also not elite'.

Note: Those are the two main attributes which have always given Canelo Alvarez the most trouble 'movement, elite level athleticism, and punch combination speed'.

And when I say trouble? When he has been faced with those attributes it has not been 'like those fighters have all blown him away'.

Floyd Mayweather Junior, Dmitry BIvol, and Terrence Crawford 'have all beaten Canelo Alvarez, but they did not knock him out. I think Mayweather Junior was outside of his peak, but if he really wanted to in that fight? He could have pushed for a stoppage'.

Overall if a fighter does not really possess elite level movement, athleticism, and speed 'combined with a very high level of skill. I think that type of fighter is always going to be stylistically in a very difficult fight vs. Canelo Alvarez'.

Christian Mbilli skill for skill 'in my opinion is not a elite level fighter. I would not be surprised if he struggles to win a single round vs. Canelo Alvarez' etc.

I understand and agree with what you're saying about the type of fighter who has given Alvarez problems in the past. While not a slick mover and shaker, Mbilli will apply constant pressure for all 12 rounds and does have some pop on his punches. In addition, Alvarez doesn't seem to possess the non-stop motor he used to have and has been selectively busy during recent bouts.

To me, that's the intriguing part about this fight. Can Mbilli apply effective pressure for the duration of the bout and make Alvarez fight for all three minutes of all 12 rounds? Can Alvarez effectively counter punch to blunt Mbilli's attack and go on the offensive for longer than 10 to 15 seconds at a stretch? Mbilli will be there to be hit, but can Alvarez take advantage of that in the back half of the fight?

People have always suggested that Canelo Alvarez never possessed the best endurance 'I think his main issues where not his endurance levels, but? That he lacked gears. Alvarez has always been able to fight at a consistent pace, but it seemed to be one paced'.

Canelo Alvarez's endurance levels have not been elite level 'but they have been world level throughout his career. Fighters such as Floyd Mayweather Junior, and Dmitry Bivol were elite in this area of their game'.

Note: And this does give fighters an opportunity to gain a jump on him 'but just rapidly going through the gears. During sections of the rounds i.e. Amir Khan done this during his fight vs. Alvarez, but soon as he began to become static? BAM, he was taken out. Khan did fight good effort'.

So yes? The pressure fighting of Christian Mbilli is his best chance of winning 'he has to apply pressure from the first round, for as long as he is in the fight'.

If he gives Canelo Alvarez space 'and is too static with his movement. He is nowhere near the level of Alvarez skill for skill as a fighter'.

Although Terrence Crawford beat Canelo Alvarez 'it was for me? Crawford's gears and movement which won him the fight. I don't necessarily rate Terrence Crawford that much higher in skill than Alvarez'.

I am honestly surprised that Canelo Alvarez is still fighting at 168 pounds 'I thought he would have moved up to 175 pounds' etc.

[Ruthless-RKO]

BREAKING: The Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbili fight for the WBC super middleweight title has been postponed and will now take place in late October in Riyadh, The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger has learned.

The fight was originally set to take place Sept. 12. Now, part of a growing Riyadh Season calendar.

[Eolaithe]

If Canelo defeats Christian Mbilli in late October to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight title, it would mark another major milestone in his historic career.

Twenty-one years after turning professional, the win would rank him fifth all-time for the longest span between a fighter’s first and most recent world title victory, behind only Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins, Roberto Durán and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

That ranking applies only to fighters who stayed active and consistently competed at world level throughout their careers.

A win would also move Canelo into joint second place for the most world title-fight victories in boxing history.

Yet those numbers only tell part of the story.

Although Canelo is still only 35, two decades competing at the elite level appears to be taking a toll.

His work rate has dropped, injuries have become more common, and he now fights at the measured pace more often associated with boxers in their forties.

For that reason, a Canelo victory over Mbilli should not be considered a foregone conclusion.

Mbilli’s relentless pressure style would have been tailor-made for a younger, prime Canelo, but the current veteran version of the Mexican has not produced a truly standout performance since 2021.

If the fight goes the distance, a controversial outcome would not be surprising. Many viewing it as a classic clash of pressure versus precision, with the “perceived” winner depending largely on personal stylistic scoring preferences.