Canelo beats Mbilli in Riyadh to reclaim WBC super-middleweight title
Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez won a unanimous decision over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh to regain the WBC super-middleweight world title. It was his return to the ring a year after losing to Terence Crawford.
Mexican professional boxer Canelo Alvarez beat previously undefeated champion Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to win back the WBC (World Boxing Council) super-middleweight world title. The bout marked Alvarez's return to the ring a year after his shock defeat to American Terence Crawford.
The judges scored it 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in Alvarez's favour.
How the fight unfolded
Mbilli was the busier fighter in the first half, throwing in quick bursts and pushing Alvarez onto the ropes. From the sixth round, Alvarez increasingly took control. He used a right uppercut to open space for a heavy right cross, worked with counter-punches on the ropes, and his uppercut made Mbilli cautious.
In the eighth round the referee took a point from Mbilli for hitting behind the head. Alvarez then moved off the ropes into the centre of the ring and landed with his right hook. In the last round the two traded shots, and Alvarez finished with another strong right hand.
Alvarez's comments
This was Alvarez's 68th professional fight. Afterwards he said that, 21 years into his professional career and 16 years after winning his first title, the result was unbelievable. He said he knew Mbilli was strong and promised to take a couple of weeks off before returning to work.
Rest of the card
Mexico's Jaime Munguia defended his WBA super-middleweight title by unanimous decision against Nikita Zon, despite coming close to being knocked out in the sixth round. Featherweight Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO title when replacement opponent Ricardo Blandon of Nicaragua was pulled out by the ringside doctor in the third round because of a cut over his eye.
