Canelo's Comeback Announced

Canelo Alvarez will return to the ring on September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facing WBC middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli.

Alvarez steps back into the ring for the first time since suffering defeat to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas last September, a loss that ended his reign as undisputed super middleweight champion and handed Crawford all four major belts at 168 pounds. Crawford subsequently retired, vacating the titles and setting in motion a process that has led to Mbilli holding the WBC strap heading into this fight.

Mbilli is an unbeaten opponent who has done nothing to suggest he does not belong at this level. The 29-0-1 record includes 24 knockouts and a WBC title claim that arrived through legitimate competition rather than circumstance alone.

The defeat to Crawford was only the third loss of Canelo's professional career and his first since losing to Dmitry Bivol at heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight in 2022. Both losses came against elite opponents at the peak of their powers.

“After so many years in this sport, my motivation is still the same: to challenge myself, represent Mexico, and continue building my legacy. Mbilli is undefeated, and a great fighter, and I respect that. But my focus is always on my preparation, performance, and giving the fans another great night of boxing. On September 12 in Riyadh, we begin a new chapter with the same discipline, ambition, and vision that has carried me throughout my career,” Alvarez said

“My last fight was the fight of the year. In September, against Canelo Alvarez, it will be the fight of the decade. And when the fight is over, the world will witness a historic victory for me,” Mbilli