Former Canelo sparring partner predicts Mbilli comeback defeat in October

Yoenli Hernandez expects Canelo Alvarez to defeat Christian Mbilli when the former champion returns on October 31. The contest will be for the WBC super-middleweight title in the 168-pound division, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, set to host the fight.

Hernandez previously shared a training camp with Alvarez before the Mexican star faced Terence Crawford. The Cuban believes Alvarez remains capable of producing the performance required to beat Mbilli, provided he reaches the necessary level during preparation. Hernandez’s view is that Alvarez still has enough ability and experience to regain the belt.

Alvarez lost his undisputed super-middleweight championship to Crawford last September. Crawford’s subsequent retirement left all four titles vacant, and Mbilli was elevated from challenger to full WBC champion. The October meeting will therefore give Alvarez a chance to reclaim one of the belts he previously held.

The fight will also mark Alvarez’s return after an elbow problem affected his bout with Crawford. He underwent surgery on his right elbow earlier this year before securing an opportunity to challenge for his former title. Mbilli accepted the offer for the Riyadh contest, which will headline a bill built around a Mexico versus the World theme.

The card already includes another world-title bout, with further contests expected to be added. Hernandez enters the event after recording a career-best victory over Francisco Daniel Veron on Saturday, a result that has moved him towards a mandatory challenge for Denzel Bentley’s WBO middleweight title.

Bentley is allowed to make one voluntary defence before Hernandez’s mandatory opportunity is enforced. For now, the Cuban’s focus is also tied to Alvarez’s comeback, with Hernandez backing his former training partner to end Mbilli’s reign and return to the top of the super-middleweight division.