Canelo Alvarez attempts to return to the super-middleweight throne this weekend as he challenges for Christian Mbilli’s WBC title on Saturday in a high-stakes encounter that promises to command the attention of the entire boxing world. The bout marks a critical juncture for both fighters, who are stepping back into the ring after enduring the longest periods of inactivity in their respective professional careers.
Mbilli was elevated to full world champion when Terence Crawford retired from the sport, a monumental development that arrived just three months after Crawford had dethroned Alvarez to become boxing’s first post-war three-division undisputed champion. That historic clash sent shockwaves through the division and left the championship landscape in a state of flux, opening the door for new contenders and fresh narratives to take center stage.
Now, 13 months on from that unforgettable night—where Mbilli actually featured on the undercard, showcasing his talents on the very same global platform—both Canelo and the French-Cameroonian champion are finally ready to collide. The prolonged layoff has only served to heighten the anticipation surrounding the matchup, with fans and pundits eager to see how both men handle the ring rust and whether Alvarez can successfully reclaim his status at the pinnacle of the 168-pound division.
As the opening bell draws closer, the boxing community has been heavily divided on how the fight will play out, with various trainers, analysts, and fellow fighters offering their expert perspectives. Speaking with ESNews, Jose Benavidez Sr anticipated a difficult fight for Alvarez, largely due to the sheer hunger and ambition of the reigning WBC super-middleweight champion who now holds the belt.
“I think that Canelo should win, he has got more experience and we have seen what he has done. I am just hoping that, on that day, the body wants to go, but at the end of the day it is a tough fight,” Jose Benavidez Sr stated, highlighting the physical demands that come with a long career at the elite level.
“Mbilli is coming for everything, he is younger, he is fresher and I think that it is a good fight. It all depends how Canelo comes, we have seen Canelo wanting to come forward but the body is just not there. The way that he walks, the way that he throws his punches are not the same, so hopefully this time he comes a little bit better, but I think that he can beat Mbilli—that is what I think.”
Meanwhile, offering a contrasting yet similarly confident prediction regarding a Canelo victory, three-division world champion David Benavidez shared his thoughts during an interview with DAZN Boxing. Unlike his father, David Benavidez expects his longtime rival to navigate the challenge without encountering excessive difficulties.
“I think that Canelo walks through him. I think that Canelo is a great fighter, he is levels above Mbilli. I don’t disrespect Mbilli but I don’t think that he is on Canelo’s level and it is a great fight for Canelo, stylistically,” David Benavidez explained to DAZN Boxing, pointing out the tactical advantages he believes the Mexican star possesses in this specific matchup.
“I think that he has been wanting a fight like that because he has been fighting more boxers than brawlers, Terence Crawford and the Cuban guy that he fought before, William Scull. I think that this fight is more tailor-made for his style, so it is going to be a good fight for him. I expect him to win by knockout.”
The contrasting viewpoints from the Benavidez camp underscore the fascinating tactical dynamics at play. While some observers worry about the lingering effects of Alvarez’s inactivity and the natural advantages of youth and freshness possessed by Mbilli, others see the undefeated challenger as a stylistic fit that plays directly into the experienced counter-punching strengths of boxing’s former pound-for-pound king.
The main event is further bolstered by a star-studded supporting cast. The Canelo-Mbilli card takes place on Saturday, with the likes of Jaime Munguia and Rafael Espinoza scheduled to appear on the undercard, ensuring an action-packed evening of world-class boxing for fans in attendance and watching around the globe. As the final press conferences conclude and the fighters step onto the scales, all eyes will turn to the squared circle to see whether the veteran great can recapture his throne or if a new era will officially begin under the banner of Christian Mbilli.
