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Canelo Álvarez defeats Christian Mbilli for WBC super-middleweight championship – live reaction

1 November 2026 at 01:52

Álvarez captures Mbilli’s 168lb title in Riyadh
Mexican star fights for first time since Crawford loss
Reach out to Bryan on Bluesky or by email

Here come the fighters. First it’s Mbilli, entering first despite his status as the champion, wearing a black tee and red trunks. And now after an extended video introduction it’s time for Canelo. It’s a muted, pyrotechnic-free ringwalk by his theatrical standards as he enters surrounded by his team and the recording artist Tito Double P.

Anthem time at Kingdom Arena. First the national anthem of Saudi Arabia, in honor of our hosts. Then La Marseillaise, for Mbilli. Then Himno Nacional Mexicano, for Canelo. The fighters should be making their entrances any moment now.