RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super-middleweight championship Saturday night, relying on sharp counterpunching and a dominant second half to defeat Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision.

The judges scored the bout 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 for Alvarez, handing Mbilli the first loss of his professional career. Alvarez improved to 64-3-2, while Mbilli dropped to 29-1-1.

The 36-year-old Mexican returned to the ring for the first time since losing his undisputed championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025 and became a world champion once again.

The win meant more than simply regaining a belt. Alvarez had faced questions about whether his championship era ended with the Crawford defeat. Against an unbeaten opponent whose relentless pressure tested his ability to maintain his output, Alvarez found his timing, connected with combinations and took control as the fight unfolded.

“Oh, it’s so difficult to explain,” Alvarez said. “It’s something unbelievable.”

Mbilli’s activity and forward pressure made the first half competitive, especially when he forced Alvarez toward the ropes. Alvarez responded with body shots and counters before finding more success in the sixth round with a right uppercut and a straight right.

The tempo of the exchanges gradually shifted. Alvarez began making Mbilli react to his punches, stopping his advances with cleaner, more accurate combinations. At times, Alvarez dropped his hands and beckoned Mbilli forward, inviting exchanges in which he could counter.

An uppercut stood out in the seventh round, and Alvarez followed with combinations in the eighth. Mbilli’s challenge grew tougher when referee Hector Afu deducted a point for punching the back of Alvarez’s head.

Christian Mbilli of France, front, battles Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez during their WBC super-middleweight world championship bout at The Venue Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.AP Photo/Yazeed Aldhawaihi

Alvarez’s jab helped him control the 10th round. Mbilli continued attacking the body and landed right hands in the final round, but Alvarez closed strongly, wobbling him with a late right hand.

Alvarez said trainer Eddy Reynoso’s instructions to move, box and keep working behind the jab were key to the victory.

“Do what Canelo do the best. And that’s what I did,” Alvarez said.

When asked whether Mbilli had surprised him, Alvarez said he expected a formidable opponent but believed he had restricted the challenger’s offense.

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“It’s difficult to throw punches with me,” he said.

The celebration included an emotional tribute to Eddy Reynoso and Chepo Reynoso, whom Alvarez credited with helping shape his career.

Alvarez’s tearful celebration and tight embrace with Eddy Reynoso contrasted with the composure he showed inside the ring. After spending 12 rounds managing Mbilli’s pressure, he struggled to put into words what becoming champion again meant. His gratitude quickly turned from the accomplishment to the people who helped him achieve it.

“I’m so proud, so proud of my team,” Alvarez said.

He also thanked his family watching from home and joked that his wife, who could not attend, had warned him not to return without the championship.

“I won the title,” he said.

Alvarez made no immediate commitment to his next opponent.

“I’m gonna rest. I’m gonna keep learning. I’m gonna keep working hard,” he said.

In the co-main event, Jaime Munguia survived a sixth-round scare to retain his WBA super-middleweight championship against Nikita Zon. Munguia won by unanimous decision, with scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112, recovering after Zon hurt him to improve to 47-2.

Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO featherweight title by stopping Ricardo Blandon via technical knockout at 1:22 of the third round. A straight right opened a cut above Blandon’s left eye, and the referee halted the bout on the ringside physician’s recommendation. Espinoza improved to 29-0 with 25 knockouts.

Reito Tsutsumi scored two knockdowns in the second round before stopping Raymundo Rojas Garcia at 2:27. Tsutsumi improved to 6-0 with five knockouts.

Christian Mbilli of France, left, battles Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez during their WBC super-middleweight world championship bout at The Venue Arena in Riyadh.AP Photo