Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has the gold around his waist again. At 36, the Mexican icon took back the WBC super middleweight belt on Saturday night, outworking French contender Christian Mbilli in a grueling main event.
Handing Mbilli His First Loss
Christian Mbilli walked into the ring 34-0, carrying the kind of knockout power that makes veteran fighters nervous. Still,Canelo showed the sharp ring craft that turned him into a global star in the first place. He set the pace early, slipped Mbilli’s heaviest shots, and landed the cleaner leather all night. When the final bell rang, all three judges gave Canelo a clear unanimous decision, bringing the WBC super middleweight crown back to Mexico.
Fighting Under Tight Security in Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosted the bout, though boxing was hardly the only conflict on people’s minds. Recent Houthi rebel bombings in the region cast a quiet shadow over the whole week. You could hear that tension in Canelo’s voice during his post-fight interview. For the first time in his professional life, his family wasn’t sitting at ringside. He told the crowd he left them at home simply because it wasn’t safe enough to bring them.
Sixteen Years at the Top
Winning without his family in the arena clearly felt different, yet the relief on the veteran’s face was unmistakable.Looking back on his long run in the sport, Canelo admitted that grabbing this belt felt just as sweet as winning his very first world title 16 years ago. At an age when most fighters have already hung up the gloves, his drive hasn’t faded a bit.
What Comes Next for Canelo?
Of course, everybody already wants to know who he will fight next. Reporters pressed him right after the Mbilli win for a date or an opponent, hoping for a hint. The new champion wasn’t biting, though. He brushed off the questions with a grin and said they would figure all of that out later. Right now, Canelo Alvarez just wants to soak in another championship night.
