Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will return to the ring. Sheikh Turki Alalshikh confirmed the date and the rival through The Ring: the Mexican will face the Frenchman Christian Mbilli on September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fight will be for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight championship. Canelo is looking to regain the belt he lost last year to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.
Conference in Cairo
The official presentation of the fight will take place on May 23 in Cairo, Egypt. It is the second time that Álvarez will fight in Saudi territory; the first was in May 2025, when he defeated William Scull.
For the first time in years, the man from Guadalajara did not fight in May, but he announced that his traditional September fight remains as part of the national celebrations.
Mbilli, undefeated and with power
The Frenchman arrives with a record of 29 victories (24 by knockout) and one draw. He won the WBC super middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki in June 2025 and defended it against Lester Martínez on the same card where Canelo lost to Crawford.
Mbilli is 29 years old and is considered one of the most dangerous prospects in the division. His punching power and his undefeated record make him a real threat for the Mexican’s comeback.
Chance for revenge
For Canelo, this fight represents a clear opportunity to regain a world belt after losing his reign. The fight in Riyadh will be his second in Saudi Arabia and the first high-stakes one since the loss to Crawford.
The expectation is high. Mexican boxing is closely following the Tapatio’s steps in his attempt to regain the top spot in the super middleweight division.
