Christian Mbilli didn’t pull any punches, flat out calling Canelo Alvarez “old now” right to his face during the pre-fight “Face Off” show, and Alvarez’s ice-cold response tells you everything you need to know about the massive stakes for Saturday’s WBC super middleweight title bout. This isn’t just another fight, it’s personal for the 36-year-old Mexican superstar, who is coming back after a 13-month layoff and elbow surgery.
“He’s Going To Find Out”: Canelo’s Message to Mbilli
When Alvarez was asked directly if he felt he’d lost a step from his prime, his face was stone cold. “No, I’m very good,” he said, quiet and emotionless. That was until Mbilli, respectful but totally matter-of-fact, dropped the “old” bomb. The 31-year-old challenger from Montreal believes this is “the best timing for me to have this fight,” speculating that Alvarez’s “power has gone down just a little bit” and that five years ago he was “at a different level.” You could almost feel the temperature drop. Alvarez just flashed a sinister smile, then laughed. “He’s going to find out,” Alvarez declared. “Not even if I am 50 years old, he can’t beat me. It’s just different levels. He’s going to find out that this level is way different. You need like 10 of you to beat me.” Talk about a mic drop!
The Unbeaten Challenger vs. The Champ With A Point To Prove
Mbilli comes into this fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with a pristine 29-0-1 record, including 24 KOs, and is known for his aggressive style and top-tier conditioning. He’s a real threat, even with Alvarez being a 3-to-1 betting favorite. But Canelo has a history of silencing doubters. This is the guy who’s won titles in four weight divisions, spent three years as the sport’s pound-for-pound king, and became the undisputed super middleweight champ back in 2021. Yet, the questions are swirling. His last appearance in 2025 saw him lose the WBC title via unanimous decision to Terence Crawford, who was nearly 38 and had moved up three weight divisions. While any decline has been gradual, many point to 2022, after four wins in an 11-month stretch, as his final peak. Saturday is the chance to prove the “old man” still has it, and then some.
This Saturday, October 29, 2026, it’s all on the line when Canelo Alvarez steps into the ring against Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title. The fight kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV. Canelo is out to prove he’s still elite, still a champion, and that Mbilli’s “old” talk was a massive mistake. You won’t want to miss this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply