Christian Mbilli and Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will fight on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the WBC Super Middleweight World Championship at stake. For Mbilli, the fight offers a chance to strengthen his position atop the 168-pound division. For the Mexican challenger, it marks a new pursuit of the Green and Gold Belt.
Mbilli was elevated to full champion in January 2026 after the title became vacant. The French-Cameroonian fighter had captured the interim championship in June 2025 with a first-round stoppage of Poland’s Maciej Sulecki.
His only interim title defense came against Guatemala’s Lester Martínez in an intense battle that ended in a draw. Their determination and relentless exchanges earned the contest recognition as the WBC’s 2025 Fight of the Year.
Now, Mbilli will face a former undisputed champion with extensive experience at the highest level. His pressure and punch output will be tested against Álvarez’s experience and ability to adapt.
Canelo will return to the ring after losing his belts to Terence Crawford in September 2025 and undergoing elbow surgery in early 2026. The Guadalajara native will look to regain the WBC World Championship and begin a new chapter in his career.
Riyadh will host a fight with clear ambitions on both sides: Mbilli wants to establish his reign against one of boxing’s biggest names, while Canelo seeks to become champion again in a division that helped define his legacy.
SOURCE: WBC
