Without a knockout win since 2021, Canelo Alvarez takes on the young, energetic Christian Mbilli in Riyadh. According to boxing expert Dan Rafael, Canelo's long career and his recent fights make it clear that his peak is behind him. "A lot younger. He's fresher. I mean, it's a crapshoot at this stage of Canelo's career," Rafael said. The defeat by Terence Crawford, along with points wins over Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga, laid bare the Mexican star's decline. Having turned professional at just 15, Canelo now faces a serious test of his durability against the aggressive tempo of a younger opponent.
The ring does not lie. Mbilli, for his part, returns to action after his draw with Lester Martinez. Whoever wins in Riyadh will earn the chance of another lucrative title fight, against Hamzah Sheeraz, staged by promoter Turki Alalshikh.
