Alvarez bets 3-to-1 odds to retake WBC belt from Mbilli in Riyadh

Bookmakers have placed Canelo Alvarez as a 3-to-1 favorite to defeat Christian Mbilli on Saturday night. The odds reflect a stark contrast in experience and pedigree, yet they also acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the veteran’s current form.

Alvarez, 36, enters the bout at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with a record of 63 wins, three losses, and two draws. He is attempting to recover the World Boxing Council super middleweight title that he lost to Terence Crawford in 2025. This fight marks his return to the ring after a 13-month absence caused by elbow surgery.

Mbilli, 31, fights out of Montreal and holds a professional record of 29 wins, one loss, and one draw. The challenger is known for an aggressive, forward-moving style that leaves little room for counterpunching. In a pre-fight interview, Mbilli acknowledged Alvarez’s age but argued that the timing is right for him to claim the championship.

Alvarez addressed concerns about his decline during a DAZN broadcast last month. When asked if he doubted his ability to compete at the elite level, he responded with a quiet, “No, I’m very good.” He added that Mbilli would find the difference in their skill levels, stating, “He’s going to find out. Not even if I am 50 years old, he can’t beat me.”

The context for this matchup involves Alvarez’s recent trajectory. After peaking in 2022 with wins over Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, and Caleb Plant, he suffered a decision loss to Dmitry Bivol. Since then, he has won four fights by decision, though all went to the scorecards. His last appearance ended in a unanimous decision loss to Crawford, a result that shifted public perception of his standing in the sport.

Mbilli’s path to this title fight included a split draw against Lester Martinez last September. That bout was cited as one of the year’s best fights due to its high volume of action. Alvarez criticized that performance, noting that the fighters threw punches like crazy but that it was not boxing. The upcoming fight in Riyadh is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV.