Canelo Álvarez reclaims WBC super-middleweight title in Riyadh amid Houthi attack alerts

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez reclaimed the WBC super-middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Christian Mbilli at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Saturday night, as the bout proceeded amid security concerns after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted missiles and drones launched by Iran-aligned Houthi forces. The decision restored the belt to Álvarez and came during a week of heightened cancellations and tightened security across the Saudi capital.

The fight went ahead despite several events in the kingdom being cancelled or postponed, including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, after authorities reported a series of strikes and threats. Three weeks earlier, a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, and the Saudi-led coalition said a second projectile struck a passenger terminal the following day. Several international airlines suspended flights to the kingdom amid concerns for civilian aviation, prompting increased security measures around the event.

Álvarez, 36, fought for the first time in more than a year and used counter-punching and precise body shots to blunt the aggression of the French champion, Christian Mbilli, 31. The judges scored the contest 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in favour of the Mexican. (The Guardian had it 117-110.)

“It’s something unbelievable. It feels like my first title. Now, after 21 years as a professional, 16 years ago I won my first title. Now I won that title again. I’m so proud of my team,” Álvarez said in English.

“I love boxing. That’s why I’m here, because I still love boxing and I enjoy it a lot.”

Mbilli entered the fight with a record of 29 wins and one draw and sought to unsettle Álvarez with relentless pressure and a higher volume of punches. Álvarez, fighting as the challenger, landed the cleaner blows, including a sharp uppercut that staggered Mbilli in the seventh round. Mbilli had been elevated to full WBC champion following Terence Crawford’s departure from the division and had fought to a split draw against Lester Martínez on the undercard of the Álvarez-Crawford showdown, ending a run of 29 consecutive professional victories.

The victory followed Álvarez’s unanimous-decision defeat by Terence Crawford in September 2025, which was only the third loss of his professional career and cost him his undisputed super-middleweight crown and the division’s four major titles. The win in Riyadh was described in coverage as a significant comeback for Álvarez after that defeat.

Turki al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and a prominent figure in boxing promotion, said earlier this month that Álvarez had personally assured him he would go ahead with the fight regardless of the security situation. “Canelo reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens,” Al-Sheikh wrote on social media. “He fears nothing.” The kingdom’s growing role in professional boxing under Al-Sheikh has drawn scrutiny over its human rights record and accusations of sportswashing.

The result improved Álvarez’s record to 64 wins, three defeats and two draws and handed Mbilli the first loss of his professional career.