NEW YORK, NY — Canelo Alvarez does not need to fight, the once undisputed super middleweight champion does not need the money or fame either.

A definite first ballot Boxing Hall of Famer when he decides to hang up the gloves, Alvarez continues to fight because for years he dominated boxing in the ring with a ton of media exposure, endorsements and is a champion others want a bite at. 

They sign on the dotted line a contract to fight Alvarez as the money in it is good enough for a lifetime. Opponents and fight camps then devise a strategy, how do you defeat the Mexican icon?

After 13 months away from the ring, Canelo Alvarez, finally making his return tomorrow night, with the action live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, will attempt to become a world champion at super middleweight once more when he faces WBC champion Christian Mbilli – Image Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

It has not been easy over the years trying to overcome an Alvarez punch to the body.

The strategy works for a few rounds, then fails, as so many have attempted to dethrone a legend. 

At one time, he surpassed the popularity of Hall of Famer Julio César Chávez, one of many Mexican icons before him. Undefeated Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was popular during his reign with a global audience but Alvarez’s fights are now streamed live between either Netflix or DAZN.

The global start times for the Canelo vs Mbilli card 🌍👇

🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeoyF5 | Oct 31 | Mexico vs The World | @RingMagazine 🔊 pic.twitter.com/LTg63fb8h9

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 29, 2026

Mayweather had HBO and Showtime Boxing, then the two networks that propelled the sport to another level before streaming and lucrative money changed an entire industry into chaos.

Buy Canelo vs. Mbilli on DAZN right now by clicking here

But Alvarez can be beaten. Terence “Bud” Crawford in September of last year took away his WBC super middleweight title on a unanimous decision. He also took away the stardom and found a way to defeat the icon that others could not. 

King Canelo was not the icon that night on September 13th in Las Vegas before 70,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium.

Terence Crawford (blue gloves) punches Canelo Alvarez (red gloves) for the Undisputed & Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Championship at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas – Image Credit: Ed Mulholland/TKO Worldwide

Devastated Alvarez had been as Crawford after that anticipated mega fight was the new king, pound-for-pound best and undisputed champion at 168 until boxing politics intervened with the WBC taking away their title from Crawford because he would not pay their sanctioning fees.

Alvarez was apologetic about the loss to his supporters, congratulated Crawford, took a hiatus to heal injuries and spend quality time with family. He needed the break from boxing as questions surmounted about a decline and possible retirement. Though fighters who hang their gloves up always seem to return because the money is much too good to turn away.

Thirteen months plus removed, Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) returns to the ring Saturday evening in an arena situated in war torn Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On DAZN Pay-Per-View live, he will be going toe-to-toe with Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KO’s), a power puncher with the WBC title Alvarez once held. 

Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli make their WBC super middleweight title fight official 😤

🇲🇽 Canelo Alvarez – 167.6lbs
🇫🇷 Christian Mbilli – 167.8lbs#CaneloMbilli l Saturday l @RiyadhSeason l Live on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/hGHjHSDGnz

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) October 30, 2026

Despite airports nearby, security alerts, and bombs bursting in the air, Alvarez insisted the fight must proceed.

There had been speculation about moving the fight night, billed as Mexico vs. The World, to another venue, with talks concerning the fighters and personnel. DAZN’s commentary team will do a remote broadcast from studios outside the country, a must watch for fans. 

But Alvarez would not back down from a fight, even with a war that poses threats on fight night. Similar to choosing opponents and in business, Alvarez is stubborn. Again a fighter of this magnitude and winning stature gets what he wants.

167.6 lb ✅
¡Nos vemos mañana! #CaneloMbilli

12:30pm 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/MLA1Abn4vM

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) October 30, 2026

Now he seeks to regain another title and redeem himself after that defeat to Crawford that led to questions and that possible decline.

But there have never been questions as to when he would return, Alvarez is not shy about his passion for boxing, love for his native Mexico and fans from around the globe. Championships to him are a part of the legacy, regaining a title is for pride.

He will continue, fully determined until he says no more punches. And the higher ups in boxing will allow him time to make that decision.

Esto es Mexico vs. el mundo! Viva Mexico! 🇲🇽

🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeoyF5 | Oct 31 | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason ▪️ pic.twitter.com/coTdzqnRIg

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 29, 2026

The higher ups are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and co-founder of Zuffa Boxing, who changed the complexion of boxing the past few years. He will pay Alvarez a $47 million based purse. 

An amount way too difficult to turn down, enough to hang it up and walk away.

But the purse is secondary to an all-time great. More than an icon Alvarez has been part of the reason boxing has survived as many say the sport is dead and no longer mainstream among all sports on the planet. Alvarez though is the biggest name boxing fans and non followers of the sport will come to see or watch on DAZN Pay-Per-View. 

To that, the 36-year old Alvarez says: “Being champion again after Saturday over 20 years, I am very excited, very happy with all of my career. It seems like yesterday I started. I’m the challenger now. Always in my mind, I’ve been the champion since I was a little kid.”

Canelo está listo para demostrar por qué sigue el mejor del mundo! 🌎

🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeo0Px | Oct 31 | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason ▪️ pic.twitter.com/A5qiwfcObz

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 30, 2026

He said it will be a special night and it can be potentially for all of boxing. His name draws attention as the young superstar champions continue to make their statement and try to become the face. Alvarez for years was the face of boxing until Crawford took that away from him.

Regardless this is a fight that boxing needs and attributed to his return that helps. We may never see another Mayweather legacy or Alvarez one. Mbilli though will be a challenge, questions are still out there on if Alvarez still has it, will there be ring rust 13 months away from the ring and surgery to an elbow after the loss to Crawford?

Most boxing personnel are not overlooking Mbilli, he will come to fight to defend a title that was promoted to him from interim status to full champion. Mbilli has respect for Alvarez, he said he only needs to be himself, he too is competing for the first time in 13 months after defending the interim title with a 10-round draw against Lester Martínez on the Alvarez-Crawford undercard.

This fight means EVERYTHING to Christian Mbilli! 🙌

🎟️ Buy #CaneloMbilli NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeo0Px | Oct 31 | Mexico vs The World | @RiyadhSeason ▪️ pic.twitter.com/bIxOwpOtn7

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 30, 2026

I envision a 12-round fight and if Canelo can avoid the power coming, he will prevail and win via split decision. Then again an Alvarez punch to the body that has been keys to victory for so long could send Mbilli to the canvas.

Nonetheless, Canelo Alvarez’s return is anticipated. He gets his way because boxing thrives on the name and those accomplishments. He has that opportunity to begin another reign as a champion.

Also on the card, Mexico vs. The World, which you can purchase to watch now on DAZN, is Jaime Munguía (46-2-0, 35 KOs) who defends his WBA super middleweight title in a 12 round bout vs. Nikita Zon (12-0-1, 10 KOs) as well as Rafael Espinoza (28-0-0, 24 KOs) stepping in the ring against Ricardo Blandon (26-0-0, 14 KOs &1 NC) for a scheduled 12 rounds for his WBO featherweight title.

THE CANELO VS MBILLI UNDERCARD 🤩

🥊 Jaime Munguia vs Nikita Zon
🥊 Rafael Espinoza vs Ricardo Blandon
🥊 Reito Tsutsumi vs Raymundo Rojas Garcia
🥊 David Picasso vs Carl Jammes Martin
🥊 Sultan Almohammed vs Erick Villegas#CaneloMbilli | Oct 31st | @RiyadhSeason | Live on… pic.twitter.com/ifcDLf74oE

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) October 29, 2026

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