Cameroon-born Christian Mbilli's unbeaten run ends as Canelo Álvarez takes a unanimous decision and the WBC super-middleweight belt in Riyadh.
Cameroon-born Christian Mbilli had the chance to make a statement on one of boxing's biggest stages, but it ended in a first professional loss. Canelo Álvarez beat the previously unbeaten Mbilli by unanimous decision in Riyadh on Saturday night to win back the WBC super-middleweight title.
For Álvarez, 36, the win is a response after his defeat to Terence Crawford. The Mexican superstar showed he still has the craft and big-fight composure to beat a hungry, dangerous challenger. Mbilli came in with an unblemished record and the pressure of a major opportunity, and the veteran handled it.
The fight at Kingdom Arena went ahead against a tense backdrop. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted missiles and drones launched by Iran-aligned Houthi forces during the week, which raised security concerns in the capital.
Several events in the kingdom were cancelled or postponed because of the situation, including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition. The boxing card stayed on, and Canelo finished the night with a championship belt back around his waist.
Mbilli leaves with his first loss, but a main-stage test against one of the sport's biggest names will be worth something as he plans his next move. Álvarez, meanwhile, is a world champion again.
