Consider Canelo Alvarez unimpressed by Christian Mbilli’s credentials.
Mexico’s Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) and Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) will fight for the Cameroonian champion’s WBC super middleweight title October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their 12-round, 168-pound main event will headline a Ring card DAZN will stream to subscribers of its Ultimate plan and on pay-per-view.
Alvarez and Mbilli haven’t fought in over a year. Alvarez lost a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford that night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in the fight after Mbilli’s 10-round war with Lester Martinez ended in a majority draw.
“There’s no way he can fight like that [against me] because I’m not Martinez,” Alvarez told Mbilli in DAZN’s “Face Off” preview show. “They took and threw punches like crazy, and they are strong, of course. But that’s not boxing.
“It’s just a different level. He’s going to find out. … I love that style [of him coming forward], and he’s strong. He knows he’s going to come forward and I love that style because he’s going to be a lot of action, and I think you can fight a better fight. So, and yes, I love it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDREdbO3BTE
Alvarez and Mbilli hit hard and proved to have marvelous chins throughout their respective careers. All signs should point to the fight reaching the final bell for a decision.
If Alvarez fights to the end of round 12, it will mark the eighth consecutive time he has done so. Alvarez last scored a stoppage win against Caleb Plant in November 2021, which led to him being named “Fighter of the Year” by The Ring and gaining recognition as the No. 1 fighter, pound-for-pound, in the world.
“No, I’m very good," Alvarez replied when asked if there is any lingering doubt that he is not as good as he was. “I’m going to be very [good]. I’m going to be ready. I can hurt him and stop him. He couldn’t beat me if I was 50 years old, or 60. He can’t beat me in this life. It’s just a different level, and he is going to find out. He needs 10 of him to beat me. We’re gonna see.
"He’s a champion. That’s why I chose him – I want to fight champions. I don’t know if he has the ability to handle the situation, but we’ll see.”
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.
