NEW YORK, NY — After Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight championship this past Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he said, “It’s so difficult to explain. It’s something unbelievable, this feels like my first title.” 

Unbelievable because Alvarez is back at the top after dethroning Christian Mbilli on a dominant unanimous decision for the win. There was no doubt, Alvarez a year after losing his undisputed 168-pound titles to Terence “Bud” Crawford began another journey to a legacy that will be difficult to surpass.

Except this latest victory on his Hall of Fame career resume was different.

Canelo is back ‼️

The Mexican is a world champion once again 🙌

🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeo0Px | Live Now on DAZN | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/jTziY7ywbo

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026

Alvarez was the challenger and had to answer those who questioned the skills of a 36-year-old. Was he slower in the approach? Was that punch to the body devastating enough to beat a younger challenger?

Instead Alvarez (64-3-2, 39 KOs) answered the bell and like so many other times where he disposed of others, he had shown he’s never lost his skills. He responded against the undefeated Mbilli (29-1-1, 24 KO’s) by using an early attack and displaying a vintage defensive performance. 

Judges had it 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112 meanwhile the scorecard here was 117-110, leaving no questions about the decision.

"VIVA MEXICO CABR**ES!" 🇲🇽

Team Canelo celebrates his WBC world title victory 👏#CaneloMbilli on DAZN l @RiyadhSeason 🥊 pic.twitter.com/T8ZdeHUBgU

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) October 31, 2026

Another 12-rounder for Alvarez without a stoppage, he has failed to knockout or nail a TKO in his last nine fights. This and more from Canelo in the ring have created the questions about a different strategy potentially or whether his skills were diminishing. Mbilli threw more punches (127/724) but only 17.5 percent landed compared to Canelo’s 158 out of 504, according to Compubox, a 31.3% clip. And Alvarez threw more power punches (41.9% vs. 26.5%), reminding many as to how he elevated his authority in holding four titles at 168 pounds.

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That accomplishment in boxing of being undisputed in a weight class is extremely difficult to achieve. Boxing politics causes the chaos and division of championships that are now classified as titles, more significant in this era that Alvarez has dominated. The immediate questions after this win, what’s next?

👑THE CHAMP IS BACK 👑 #CaneloMbilli pic.twitter.com/Cwtct1MlcM

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) November 1, 2026

Boxing needs Alvarez until he says it’s time to walk away. For a decade he was always considered that face of the sport.

Marketable and promoters flocked to get his name on a contract, a draw world wide perhaps surpassing Hall of Famer Julio César Chávez as Mexico’s biggest boxing icon.

So we don’t want to see Alvarez depart from the sport, something the renewed champion has known since the first day he put on gloves as an 11-year-old. He says maybe a few more fights and then the plan is to take his fortunes home. This fight on Saturday contained a reported based purse of $47 million.

Canelo Alvarez was crowned the WBC Super Middleweight champion Saturday night after defeating France’s Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in the main event of “Mexico vs. The World” which was delivered to boxing fans live on DAZN Pay-Per-View – Image Credit: Mark Robinson/Canelo Promotions

But after this return, there is more. Alvarez will continue and it isn’t about the money. It’s a legacy he vows to continue, boxing is a passion for a fighter who wants to be a face again that Crawford took away. Crawford is retired for now but be aware that most fighters of that stature tend to return because the money is too good.

Hearing roars from the crowd are missed in their everyday life of returning to normalcy. 

“I won the title again, I am so proud,” Alvarez said in the ring on DAZN’s live telecast. “I knew (Mbilli) was a strong fighter. If he didn’t throw a lot of punches, it’s because it’s difficult to throw punches with me.”

Canelo was ready to go until the final bell 🔥#CaneloMbilli | @Riyadhseason pic.twitter.com/Ini3PmIXCh

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 31, 2026

And it was Alvarez in the final round, a right from Mbilli and him demanding more knowing the outcome was his. Continued rights from the challenger and Alvarez had total control. It was different when he lost to Crawford, which raises the idea: is there a call for a rematch?

That fight would not command the attention as the first one, Crawford of course has to consent and the amount of money offered, as with any mega fight, would have an impact.

Alvarez has another two fights remaining on a contract with Turki Al-Sheikh, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation, who put the belt around his waist Saturday in the ring.

As the triumph added another world title to his professional career on an evening that coincided with the 21st anniversary of his professional boxing debut, Canelo Alvarez secured the victory after a 12-round contest, with all three judges awarding him the win by scores of 115–112, 116–111, and 117–110 – Image Credit: Mark Robinson/Canelo Promotions

Canelo was the main event of a nine fight card billed as Mexico vs. The World. The World prevailed 5-4 but the attraction was Alvarez’s return and on what’s next. 

“I’m going to rest,” he said. “I’ll keep learning, a couple of weeks off and then I’ll come back.”

It doesn’t matter who is next because Alvarez has the authority to choose his opponents. It’s been his game and at this juncture of a Hall of Fame bound career, regardless of opponents requested, promoters always acquiesce. In the last few years there has always been the tendency of avoiding the power punches from David Benavidez who once was a light heavyweight, fought at 168 and holds a piece of the cruiserweight titles.

On Saturday, December 5th on DAZN Pay-Per-View and Prime Video, “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez, looking to unify by opposing WBC champion Michał Cieślak, will be defending his WBA and WBO titles in Phoenix, Arizona.

🗣️ MONSTRO!

David Benavidez returns December 5th.#BenavidezCieslak | Dec. 5 | Live on PPV on @DAZNBoxing & @PrimeVideo

🎟️ Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/wSQt7es3Gf

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) October 28, 2026

He has far surpassed from getting the Alvarez fight sealed.

So eliminate Benavidez, who was always a threat to stop the Alvarez legacy. Again Crawford could be lured to come out of retirement, Alvarez has made it known he seeks redemption at 168 as he also seeks to unify. His case would mark an unprecedented third time in this four-belt era if so.

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Lester Martínez, the WBC interim super middleweight title holder, supposedly could be next. Boxing rankings and politics will put that name on the table, yet it won’t happen despite the significance of Alvarez possibly getting a step closer to again unifying the titles.

Canelo was emotional after his BIG win 🙌🔥#CaneloMbilli ▪️ pic.twitter.com/f6GA4syCYm

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 1, 2026

A rematch with Dmitry Bivol from a loss he wants to avenge from their May 2022 bout that was fought at light heavyweight? Then Alvarez was not the dominant fighter moving up a notch in weight and vying for more history. 

Bivol defends his WBA, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles next month in Russia.

There is always discussion of a spectacle. Alvarez continues to hear the challenge of Jake Paul, which would be a lucrative fight but highly unlikely as it prevents a road to unifying the titles.

Out of the ring for 13 months but still the same old Canelo. Respect.
Did take a lot of punches though. We will dance my friend, we will dance.

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 31, 2026

An easier fight to deliver for Alvarez would potentially be United Kingdom’s Hamzah Sheeraz, who recently vacated his WBO super middleweight title and is aligned with Turki.

Clearly Canelo Alvarez is back in control of his destiny, the legacy resumed Saturday in Saudi Arabia. The questions were answered and like him or not, the legendary Mexican fighter intends to continue.

And that’s not bad for a boxing image that needs a face to restore some credibility and attention.

Rich Mancuso is a senior writer for Latino Sports, who covers Major League Baseball (MLB), Boxing, and Major League Soccer (MLS). You can follow him on X/Twitter @Ring786 and to stay in the know on all boxing, watch Rich’s weekly show, Keep It In The Ring, available on his Youtube channel. 

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