Canelo Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight title with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli, a performance that drew immediate and enthusiastic reactions from across the boxing spectrum. The win was particularly significant given Alvarez’s absence of over a year, during which he suffered a loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025 and subsequently underwent elbow surgery. Despite the long hiatus, the 36-year-old veteran displayed no signs of rust, controlling the pace and securing a decisive victory that improved his professional record to 64-3-2, while Mbilli’s record fell to 29-1-1.
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The reaction to the fight was swift, with both Jake Paul and Terence Crawford taking to social media to congratulate the Mexican star on his return to the top of the division. Crawford, who had previously dethroned Alvarez to capture the undisputed belt, acknowledged the difficulty of the achievement, while Paul, a prominent figure in the crossover boxing space, amplified the celebration on his platforms. This bipartisan support highlights the respect Alvarez commands in the sport, bridging the gap between traditional boxing purists and the modern, digital-first fanbase that has grown significantly in recent years.
Alvarez himself expressed deep emotion regarding the milestone, describing the feeling of winning a title again as “unbelievable” and comparable to his first championship win sixteen years ago. Speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the champion noted that after 31 years in the professional ranks, recapturing the belt was a source of immense pride. The victory not only restores Alvarez’s status as a top contender in the super middleweight division but also sets the stage for future high-profile matchups, proving that his competitive edge remains intact despite the physical and temporal challenges of his recent career path.
Source: Bleacher Report
