NEWS: Per source, Lindolfo Delgado, trainer Robert Garcia & the team remain in the US & don't have travel booked for his vacant IBF 140 title fight vs. Artur Biyarslanov next Saturday on #CaneloMbilli card in Riyadh. Biyarslanov is already there. Will the fight happen? I was told "probably not." #boxing
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
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Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
Shot at Canelo finally arrives for Mbilli's longtime trainer
Certain fighters are synonymous with certain trainers: Muhammad Ali and Angelo Dundee, Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach, Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynosa.
Christian Mbilli and Marc Ramsay have a similar close bond, but to put it over the top they need to beat Alvarez in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
"This is an opportunity we want to take and want to reach [those levels], but this is not an easy task to beat the guys like Canelo. But we really believe we can do it," Ramsay told The Ring. "We think it's the right time for Christian and be at that level."
The veteran trainer, who was appointed director of boxing development at Eye Of The Tiger in 2021, has worked with Mbilli for a decade, first making contact with him prior to the 2016 Olympics. EOTT is Mbilli's promoter.
"I found at that time the French team was very strong, but I found inside of that team he was a little under the radar," he said. "He was, to me, maybe not the guy with the best potential to win an Olympic medal but the best potential to be a pro. He had the right style. He was winning with a pro style.
"I contacted him to see if he had some plan after the Olympic Games and he already knew who I was. I proposed him to a promoter and one point he said he had interest, but I didn't want to rush him, so I told him, 'Let's focus on the Olympics now.'"
Ramsay invited Mbilli to meet him in New York City in June 2016, where they spent time together and attended Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter. They never discussed working together.
"I have a contact inside the French team. I have good reports on his discipline and work ethic, but I want to make sure he have the right personality to work with me," he said. "I wanted to meet him face to face."
Two months later, Mbilli reached the quarterfinals of the Rio Games, losing to eventual gold medalist Arlen Lopez.
True to his word, Ramsay reached out to Mbilli and quickly brokered a deal for him to come to Montreal, where the fighter made a big impression from the beginning.
"He stayed at my house and I told him, 'Take the time that you need. We're going to find an apartment and everything.’ Usually when I do those kinds of operations, I have to do almost everything myself," Ramsay said.
"When I woke up in the morning, he went to the store, bought the Montreal newspaper and was looking to find an apartment and he was already working by himself, not waiting for me. I realized, 'OK, it’s not going to be long.' He speaks French, so he was able to communicate with people in Quebec but had this inside him. At a young age, he was a man."
Since then, the two have worked together.
"Christian is a guy who was born in Africa and was raised in poverty, and I think it's still something he has inside him," Ramsay said. "His mother moved to France, and he followed her and had a better life in France.
"I feel that in every exercise, in every sparring, he fights to change his life."
He has also seen the evolution of Mbilli as he's risen through the ranks.
"When he came Eleider Alvarez was [WBO light heavyweight] world champion, but the real captain of the team was [Artur] Beterbiev," Ramsay said. "He could see what it was to be champion. Mbilli looked at him as a model, and now he's the one who influences guys like Jhon Orobio and Moreno [Fendero] and the young guys who come to the company. I think he took over that team captain title.
"It's good because every single bench press, every single sprint, he wants to win. He's not trying just to train. He's fighting against Orobio. He's fighting against Moreno and they want to win every exercise. It’s a challenge. They have a good relationship, but they never want to finish second and it's very good for the team."
Ramsay has long wanted and waited patiently for one of his fighters to face Alvarez.
"You want to beat the guy who is on the throne, and this is what we are going to try to do on October 31," he said. "With David Lemieux we had some promises, but it never went through. We had some discusses about Beterbiev and Canelo at one point.
"I said I want to get closer to those kinds of fights. I told him, 'Don't wait on Canelo, do you own stuff and force people to organize that fight with good performances and beating the guys who are in front of you and you'll force the channel to invest in that fight.'"
Certain fighters are synonymous with certain trainers: Muhammad Ali and Angelo Dundee, Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach, Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynosa.
Christian Mbilli and Marc Ramsay have a similar close bond, but to put it over the top they need to beat Alvarez in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
"This is an opportunity we want to take and want to reach [those levels], but this is not an easy task to beat the guys like Canelo. But we really believe we can do it," Ramsay told The Ring. "We think it's the right time for Christian and be at that level."
The veteran trainer, who was appointed director of boxing development at Eye Of The Tiger in 2021, has worked with Mbilli for a decade, first making contact with him prior to the 2016 Olympics. EOTT is Mbilli's promoter.
"I found at that time the French team was very strong, but I found inside of that team he was a little under the radar," he said. "He was, to me, maybe not the guy with the best potential to win an Olympic medal but the best potential to be a pro. He had the right style. He was winning with a pro style.
"I contacted him to see if he had some plan after the Olympic Games and he already knew who I was. I proposed him to a promoter and one point he said he had interest, but I didn't want to rush him, so I told him, 'Let's focus on the Olympics now.'"
Ramsay invited Mbilli to meet him in New York City in June 2016, where they spent time together and attended Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter. They never discussed working together.
"I have a contact inside the French team. I have good reports on his discipline and work ethic, but I want to make sure he have the right personality to work with me," he said. "I wanted to meet him face to face."
Two months later, Mbilli reached the quarterfinals of the Rio Games, losing to eventual gold medalist Arlen Lopez.
True to his word, Ramsay reached out to Mbilli and quickly brokered a deal for him to come to Montreal, where the fighter made a big impression from the beginning.
"He stayed at my house and I told him, 'Take the time that you need. We're going to find an apartment and everything.’ Usually when I do those kinds of operations, I have to do almost everything myself," Ramsay said.
"When I woke up in the morning, he went to the store, bought the Montreal newspaper and was looking to find an apartment and he was already working by himself, not waiting for me. I realized, 'OK, it’s not going to be long.' He speaks French, so he was able to communicate with people in Quebec but had this inside him. At a young age, he was a man."
Since then, the two have worked together.
"Christian is a guy who was born in Africa and was raised in poverty, and I think it's still something he has inside him," Ramsay said. "His mother moved to France, and he followed her and had a better life in France.
"I feel that in every exercise, in every sparring, he fights to change his life."
He has also seen the evolution of Mbilli as he's risen through the ranks.
"When he came Eleider Alvarez was [WBO light heavyweight] world champion, but the real captain of the team was [Artur] Beterbiev," Ramsay said. "He could see what it was to be champion. Mbilli looked at him as a model, and now he's the one who influences guys like Jhon Orobio and Moreno [Fendero] and the young guys who come to the company. I think he took over that team captain title.
"It's good because every single bench press, every single sprint, he wants to win. He's not trying just to train. He's fighting against Orobio. He's fighting against Moreno and they want to win every exercise. It’s a challenge. They have a good relationship, but they never want to finish second and it's very good for the team."
Ramsay has long wanted and waited patiently for one of his fighters to face Alvarez.
"You want to beat the guy who is on the throne, and this is what we are going to try to do on October 31," he said. "With David Lemieux we had some promises, but it never went through. We had some discusses about Beterbiev and Canelo at one point.
"I said I want to get closer to those kinds of fights. I told him, 'Don't wait on Canelo, do you own stuff and force people to organize that fight with good performances and beating the guys who are in front of you and you'll force the channel to invest in that fight.'"
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Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
NEWS: Per source involved in #CaneloMbilli & as it relates to Lindofo Delgado not traveling for his scheduled 140 title fight, which is now off: Delgado's passport had either expired or was about to expire & the Saudis (like other places do also) would not issue a visa if it's expired (obviously) or inside 6 months of expiring. He renewed the passport last week & the visa was then being processed by the Saudis. It was set to be issued this past Sunday & that is when he opted out. #boxing
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Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
There are two realistic ways this fight could unfold.
Scenario A: Mbilli's relentless aggression plays into Canelo's hands, allowing the Mexican to land accurate counters and potentially secure a late stoppage.
Scenario B: Canelo lands the cleaner punches but cannot slow Mbilli down. The younger fighter's pressure, stamina and work rate gradually take over, potentially earning him a decision or late stoppage.
The biggest question isn't whose style is better, but whether Canelo still has the physical ability to make his superior boxing skills count.
At 36, Canelo is clearly past his physical prime. He'll be returning after roughly 13 months of inactivity and elbow surgery, and hasn't stopped an opponent since November 2021.
However, Mbilli's aggression could work against him if he repeatedly walks into Canelo's counters. Equally, Canelo's experience won't necessarily save him if he cannot match Mbilli's pace.
My prediction is Canelo by unanimous decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mbilli wins. This is a genuinely competitive matchup, and much depends on how much Canelo has left physically.
Scenario A: Mbilli's relentless aggression plays into Canelo's hands, allowing the Mexican to land accurate counters and potentially secure a late stoppage.
Scenario B: Canelo lands the cleaner punches but cannot slow Mbilli down. The younger fighter's pressure, stamina and work rate gradually take over, potentially earning him a decision or late stoppage.
The biggest question isn't whose style is better, but whether Canelo still has the physical ability to make his superior boxing skills count.
At 36, Canelo is clearly past his physical prime. He'll be returning after roughly 13 months of inactivity and elbow surgery, and hasn't stopped an opponent since November 2021.
However, Mbilli's aggression could work against him if he repeatedly walks into Canelo's counters. Equally, Canelo's experience won't necessarily save him if he cannot match Mbilli's pace.
My prediction is Canelo by unanimous decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mbilli wins. This is a genuinely competitive matchup, and much depends on how much Canelo has left physically.
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Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
Promoter: Mbilli's discipline, professionalism make him ready for Canelo
After the 2016 Olympics, Christian Mbilli moved to Montreal and turned professional in February 2017.
Upon settling in the area and keeping busy, he had impressed his coach Marc Ramsay. So much so that he felt comfortabe bringing him to a family event at former IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux's house.
New in town, he would that day meet Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
"He seemed like a gentleman, was very well spoken throughout," Estephan told The Ring of their meeting.
"I was impressed with him as a person right off the bat. For him, I think he saw my relationship with David and really appreciated the human element."
Both were on different paths but at similar stages of their respective journeys. When Mbilli later became a free agent, the pair ate lunch at an upscale Montreal steakhouse, where a deal was struck.
"We spoke about what he wants to do and what EOTT is doing. It was a very smart conversation, different from most boxing conversations I have. He was insightful, understood the business and our vision," the promoter said.
Estephan remembers Mbilli's nod to humble upbringing by his mum and family during negotiations.
"I thought I'm going to give this guy — within reason — whatever he wants and the negotiation will be very simple," he said. "That's what happened and the deal was made five minutes after that. I could see this guy is a very good fighter, has the genetics, discipline, motivation but a very good character. To last for a long time at the highest levels, you must have the right character. Fighters on that level are special, they're champions in and outside the ring."
They shared a common goal: To fight and beat Canelo Alvarez, a lofty aspiration in 2020.
Alvarez was and remains the sport's biggest star. He had just entered the 168-pound division with a dominant display against Ring and WBA champion Callum Smith, also claiming vacant WBC honors.
"That was clearly discussed, it was a fight we wanted from the beginning," he said. "We knew it's a long, hard road. I had these conversations with Golden Boy regarding Canelo-Lemieux but that didn't happen. Canelo split from them, so we never had that opportunity."
"I think this Canelo fight is coming at the right time. We went through a process to become champion."
Mbilli had plenty to do to snaring a title shot, never mind someone of Alvarez's magnitude. Early on in Mbilli's EOTT tenure, he made waves with a viral knockout of former world title challenger Najib Mohammedi in March 2022.
The manner in which he dealt with the moment stuck with Estephan, marking him down as different in a good way. It showed that while others marveled at what they witnessed, it was just another day at the office to him.
"Mohammedi had insulted Christian saying, 'He's no [Sergey] Kovalev, he's not this and that,' but Mbilli knocked him out and walked over, looking down at him. He's not an arrogant guy but knows what he's worth," Estephan said.
"That night a bunch of people wanted to go out, drink and celebrate. He went to his apartment home in Old Montreal, ate an apple and went to sleep. The next morning? He went running. That's what I talk about with hunger, nothing else matters. That's who he is, what he does and what it takes to beat Canelo, to be on top of the hill."
Since then, Mbilli has continued that tunnel vision winning eight of his nine outings. The lone blemish on his record came in a 10-round split draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford undercard last year.
"Christian deserves every bit of the success he's getting. With other fighters sometimes there's a lack of discipline, it wasn't an easy road but he's never diverted from the proper path," Estephan said.
"What Canelo has done is legendary, but the wolf top of the hill is never as hungry as the wolf climbing the hill and that's us. This is one of the reasons we'll prevail. At times it seemed like it's a very long road, but we never got frustrated, both felt if we keep doing the right thing, we're going to get there.
"We don't have the massive English market, Mexico or the U.S. Quebec is smaller but here we are today, so no matter how arduous things were, we got there together. I never doubted."
After the 2016 Olympics, Christian Mbilli moved to Montreal and turned professional in February 2017.
Upon settling in the area and keeping busy, he had impressed his coach Marc Ramsay. So much so that he felt comfortabe bringing him to a family event at former IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux's house.
New in town, he would that day meet Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
"He seemed like a gentleman, was very well spoken throughout," Estephan told The Ring of their meeting.
"I was impressed with him as a person right off the bat. For him, I think he saw my relationship with David and really appreciated the human element."
Both were on different paths but at similar stages of their respective journeys. When Mbilli later became a free agent, the pair ate lunch at an upscale Montreal steakhouse, where a deal was struck.
"We spoke about what he wants to do and what EOTT is doing. It was a very smart conversation, different from most boxing conversations I have. He was insightful, understood the business and our vision," the promoter said.
Estephan remembers Mbilli's nod to humble upbringing by his mum and family during negotiations.
"I thought I'm going to give this guy — within reason — whatever he wants and the negotiation will be very simple," he said. "That's what happened and the deal was made five minutes after that. I could see this guy is a very good fighter, has the genetics, discipline, motivation but a very good character. To last for a long time at the highest levels, you must have the right character. Fighters on that level are special, they're champions in and outside the ring."
They shared a common goal: To fight and beat Canelo Alvarez, a lofty aspiration in 2020.
Alvarez was and remains the sport's biggest star. He had just entered the 168-pound division with a dominant display against Ring and WBA champion Callum Smith, also claiming vacant WBC honors.
"That was clearly discussed, it was a fight we wanted from the beginning," he said. "We knew it's a long, hard road. I had these conversations with Golden Boy regarding Canelo-Lemieux but that didn't happen. Canelo split from them, so we never had that opportunity."
"I think this Canelo fight is coming at the right time. We went through a process to become champion."
Mbilli had plenty to do to snaring a title shot, never mind someone of Alvarez's magnitude. Early on in Mbilli's EOTT tenure, he made waves with a viral knockout of former world title challenger Najib Mohammedi in March 2022.
The manner in which he dealt with the moment stuck with Estephan, marking him down as different in a good way. It showed that while others marveled at what they witnessed, it was just another day at the office to him.
"Mohammedi had insulted Christian saying, 'He's no [Sergey] Kovalev, he's not this and that,' but Mbilli knocked him out and walked over, looking down at him. He's not an arrogant guy but knows what he's worth," Estephan said.
"That night a bunch of people wanted to go out, drink and celebrate. He went to his apartment home in Old Montreal, ate an apple and went to sleep. The next morning? He went running. That's what I talk about with hunger, nothing else matters. That's who he is, what he does and what it takes to beat Canelo, to be on top of the hill."
Since then, Mbilli has continued that tunnel vision winning eight of his nine outings. The lone blemish on his record came in a 10-round split draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford undercard last year.
"Christian deserves every bit of the success he's getting. With other fighters sometimes there's a lack of discipline, it wasn't an easy road but he's never diverted from the proper path," Estephan said.
"What Canelo has done is legendary, but the wolf top of the hill is never as hungry as the wolf climbing the hill and that's us. This is one of the reasons we'll prevail. At times it seemed like it's a very long road, but we never got frustrated, both felt if we keep doing the right thing, we're going to get there.
"We don't have the massive English market, Mexico or the U.S. Quebec is smaller but here we are today, so no matter how arduous things were, we got there together. I never doubted."
Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
A good assessment of an intriguing fight, and I think you're spot on with your thought that how much Alvarez has left will go a long way in determining how the bout goes. I can see scenarios where either boxer wins, but my concern is that Alvarez receives a questionable and controversial decision.Eolaithe wrote: ↑27 Oct 2026, 19:40 There are two realistic ways this fight could unfold.
Scenario A: Mbilli's relentless aggression plays into Canelo's hands, allowing the Mexican to land accurate counters and potentially secure a late stoppage.
Scenario B: Canelo lands the cleaner punches but cannot slow Mbilli down. The younger fighter's pressure, stamina and work rate gradually take over, potentially earning him a decision or late stoppage.
The biggest question isn't whose style is better, but whether Canelo still has the physical ability to make his superior boxing skills count.
At 36, Canelo is clearly past his physical prime. He'll be returning after roughly 13 months of inactivity and elbow surgery, and hasn't stopped an opponent since November 2021.
However, Mbilli's aggression could work against him if he repeatedly walks into Canelo's counters. Equally, Canelo's experience won't necessarily save him if he cannot match Mbilli's pace.
My prediction is Canelo by unanimous decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mbilli wins. This is a genuinely competitive matchup, and much depends on how much Canelo has left physically.
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Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
The only way Canelo loses this fight is if he suddenly becomes completely shot overnight. Mbilli is a fun fighter to watch, but he's very predictable for someone like Canelo and shouldn't have any more success than Munguia did.
Uppercuts will be particularly dangerous for Mbilli. He's very open to them because of the way he leans forward on the inside.
Uppercuts will be particularly dangerous for Mbilli. He's very open to them because of the way he leans forward on the inside.
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Re: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli - October 31, 2026
Fight Week Presser
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