Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super-middleweight title in Riyadh with a unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli, but the outcome is now overshadowed by allegations of referee interference. The Mexican superstar secured scores of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 to win back the belt, yet Mbilli’s promoter Camille Estephan claims the fight’s turning point was not purely athletic. Estephan asserts that Alvarez “influenced” referee Hector Afu to dock a point in the eighth round, a move that effectively stalled Mbilli’s momentum and sealed the decision for the champion.
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The controversy centers on an exchange on the ropes in the eighth round, where Mbilli landed a blow to the back of the head. According to Estephan, Alvarez gestured directly to the official immediately after the incident, prompting Afu to deduct a point from Mbilli’s scorecard. While the promoter conceded it was a “close fight” and praised Alvarez’s performance, the claim that the champion actively lobbied the referee for the penalty has sparked immediate debate regarding the integrity of the officiating. This alleged tactic raises critical questions about whether the point deduction was a standard enforcement of rules or a result of external pressure from the favored contender.
Despite the post-fight controversy, the official result stands, with Alvarez retaining his status as a dominant force in the division. The incident highlights the high stakes of world title defenses, where minor scoring adjustments can dictate the final outcome. As the boxing community digests Estephan’s claims, attention turns to the broader implications for referee accountability in high-profile bouts. Fans can continue following top-tier action as Chris Billam-Smith prepares to face Cheavon Clarke on November 7, live on Sky Sports, ensuring the spotlight remains firmly on elite competition.
Source: Sky Sports
