Who won the Canelo vs Mbilli fight? Canelo's comeback, judges' scores and what happened in Riyadh

Mexican boxing star Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez reclaimed the world title on Saturday, defeating French champion Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in Riyadh. Returning to the ring after more than a year, the 36-year-old secured the victory with scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110, re-establishing himself among boxing's elite.

Alvarez relied on his trademark counter-punching and accurate body shots to overcome Mbilli, who attempted to dominate the contest through relentless pressure and a higher volume of punches. The Mexican, however, landed the cleaner shots, including a sharp uppercut in the seventh round that briefly staggered his opponent.

The victory marked a significant moment in Alvarez's 21-year professional career. Despite his achievements and financial success in boxing, he has continued to express his enthusiasm for the sport and his desire to compete at the highest level.


Alvarez said winning the title again felt particularly special after more than two decades as a professional. He also credited his team for helping him return to the top of the sport, adding that his continued love for boxing was the reason he remained in the ring.

Alvarez bounces back from Crawford defeat

The win represents a comeback for Alvarez following the third defeat of his professional career. American boxer Terence Crawford had beaten him by unanimous decision in September 2025, taking away his undisputed super-middleweight championship.

The loss ended Alvarez's reign as the holder of all four major titles in the super-middleweight division. His victory over Mbilli now gives him a route back into the world-title picture.

Alvarez had not competed for more than a year before Saturday's bout. His return against the French champion was therefore an important test of his ability to remain competitive after the setback against Crawford.

Mbilli's unbeaten run ends in Riyadh

Mbilli entered the fight with a record of 29 wins and one draw and was looking to extend his unbeaten professional run. The 31-year-old, who was born in Cameroon and represents France, attempted to unsettle Alvarez through sustained pressure but struggled to match the Mexican's precision.

Mbilli had become the full WBC champion after Crawford left the division, having previously held the interim title. His earlier draw against Lester Martinez on the undercard of the Alvarez-Crawford fight had ended a run of 29 consecutive professional victories.

Saturday's defeat was the first loss of Mbilli's professional career. Alvarez, meanwhile, improved his record to 64 wins, three defeats and two draws.

Riyadh bout takes place amid heightened security concerns

The fight was held in Riyadh after a week of heightened security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition had said it intercepted missiles and drones launched by Iran-aligned Houthi forces towards the capital.

The security situation also resulted in the cancellation or postponement of several events in the country, including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition. Despite the disruption, the Alvarez-Mbilli bout went ahead as scheduled.