Canelo Alvarez is back on top, folks! The man just put on a clinic, securing a unanimous decision win over Christian Mbilli to snag the WBC super middleweight title at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was a statement night for Canelo, proving he’s still got that championship fire in him.
The King Reclaims His Crown
Think about it, this was Canelo’s first time stepping into the ring since his loss to Terence Crawford back in September 2025. That was a tough one, with Crawford taking the undisputed titles. But here’s the kicker: Crawford was later stripped of one title and dropped the rest when he retired. That move, believe it or not, completely opened the door for Alvarez to swoop in and reclaim a championship he’s held so many times before. It’s like the universe knew he wasn’t done yet! You gotta wonder if Crawford retiring was a blessing in disguise for Canelo. Now he’s got the belt, he’s got the momentum, and the boxing world is watching.
The Money, The Fights, and The End of an Era?
This fight wasn’t just about the belt, though. It was a massive payday, proving Canelo still brings in the big bucks. He reportedly pulled in a staggering $47 million for the fight, while Mbilli pocketed $9 million. That kind of draw is insane, but it also begs a huge question: What’s next for the champ? Canelo is 36 years old with a wild 69 professional fights under his belt. Naturally, retirement talk is gonna start creeping into every conversation he has from here on out. And he’s not shy about addressing it.
He told Brett Okamoto of ESPN that if it were up to him, he’d never stop. But he’s also realistic, saying, “I think four or five more fights would be enough. I’ve already done everything I needed to do in boxing. I’ve done more than I ever imagined I would.” Woah. Four or five more fights. That’s a bold statement, laying out a potential timeline for one of boxing’s biggest stars. That quote is *everything*. It tells you he’s got a plan, he’s comfortable with his legacy, but he’s not quite ready to hang up the gloves just yet.
So, what kind of fireworks can we expect in these final few appearances? A rematch against Dmitry Bivol is the obvious pick and would be a massive attraction. Canelo came up short in his 2022 bid for the light heavyweight title against Bivol. Guess what? Bivol still holds those titles, fresh off wins against Artur Beterbiev and Michael Eifert. Imagine Canelo going for revenge and another title before he calls it quits!
We’ve gotta enjoy Canelo’s fights while we still can, especially when he’s fighting at this championship level. The clock is ticking, and every fight from here on out is gonna feel like a championship farewell tour. So buckle up, because these next few fights are going to be absolutely legendary.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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