Christian Mbilli Set for WBC Title Fight Against Canelo Alvarez

Christian Mbilli is set to face Canelo Alvarez on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh for the WBC super-middleweight title. This matchup has drawn sharp criticism from David Benavidez, who remarked, ‘Nobody wants to see that sh*t.’

Mbilli, boasting a record of 29 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, recently secured the WBC Interim super-middleweight title in June 2025 and was elevated to full champion in January 2026. In contrast, Canelo, with a record of 63 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, has not fought since his September 2025 defeat to Terence Crawford.

The fight is scheduled for the Mexican Independence Day weekend, a time when Canelo typically draws large crowds. His last bout attracted an impressive attendance of 70,000. However, questions linger regarding whether this fight will capture the same excitement.

Benavidez suggested that Canelo might have been better off fighting Diego Pacheco instead. He noted, ‘This is a ‘Monster’ weekend. We’ve got great fights.’ The sentiment reflects broader concerns about the appeal of this particular matchup.

Canelo’s recent elbow surgery following his loss to Crawford raises further questions. Despite being a seasoned fighter at 35 years old, he faces a younger opponent in Mbilli, who is just 31 years old. The height difference also plays a role; Mbilli stands at 5ft 8½in with a reach of 72 inches.

The boxing community watches closely as preparations unfold for this anticipated showdown. As observers await further developments, the question remains: will this fight live up to the legacy of its predecessors or fall flat under scrutiny?