Christian Mbilli intensifies WBC camp ahead of Canelo fight in Riyadh

Christian Mbilli is intensifying his preparation for the 31 October 2026 meeting with Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The unbeaten Frenchman holds the WBC super-middleweight crown at 168 pounds and is preparing for the biggest fight of his career.

The bout will be contested for the undisputed WBC world title after being moved from its original September date. Mbilli recognises Álvarez’s experience, reputation and danger, but remains confident that his training will allow him to leave the ring with the victory.

Mbilli’s rise through the WBC ranks began in July 2018, when he defeated Ramón Iván Aguinaga Rivera to win the organisation’s Youth Intercontinental middleweight title. He added the WBC Youth world middleweight belt later that year by beating Jesús Piña Nájera, before claiming the WBC Francophone title against Abraham Juárez Ramírez in October 2019.

His move to super-middleweight came in September 2021, when he stopped Ronny Landaeta to secure the WBC Continental Americas championship. Mbilli successfully defended that title eight times, building an unbeaten record through a combination of power, consistency and sustained pressure.

The defining step came in June 2025, when Mbilli defeated Poland’s Maciej Sulęcki to become interim WBC super-middleweight champion. He retained that status in September during a demanding contest with Lester Martínez that ended in a draw and was regarded as one of the year’s finest fights.

After being elevated to full WBC champion, Mbilli is now preparing to protect his position against one of boxing’s most established names. Victory over Álvarez would strengthen his hold on the division and support his ambition to become a long-term, dominant champion at super-middleweight.