Canelo Alvarez’s Return: Five Insights and the Challenge Ahead

At 36 years old, Canelo Alvarez showed he still has plenty of skill and stamina. His recent victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh proved that even now, he can control the super middleweight division. Yet, this win also raises some difficult questions about what lies ahead for him.

1. Canelo Successfully Neutralized Mbilli’s Pressure

Christian Mbilli came in as a relentless pressure fighter, known for his aggressive style. Despite his efforts, he was largely ineffective against Canelo, landing far fewer punches than in his previous fights against fighters like Sergey Derevyanchenko and Lester Martinez. Compubox data revealed Mbilli averaged just 10.6 punches landed per round on Canelo, compared to 21.5 and 27.3 in those prior bouts.

• Punching accuracy against Canelo: 17.5%
• Accuracy against Derevyanchenko: 30.9%
• Accuracy against Martinez: 34.7%
• Jabs thrown vs. Alvarez: 29.3 per round
• Power punches thrown vs. Alvarez: 31.1 per round

Although Mbilli increased his punch volume in the second half of the fight, his accuracy remained low. Canelo’s jab, defensive positioning, and precise counterpunching dismantled Mbilli’s usual high-volume approach, forcing him to hesitate. Even at 36, Canelo’s experience allowed him to dictate the pace and solve problems in the ring.

2. Jaime Munguia Shows a Different Side of Eddy Reynoso's Fighters

Jaime Munguia, another fighter trained by Eddy Reynoso, fought earlier on the card against Nikita Zon. Unlike Canelo’s calculated defense, Munguia displayed a brawling, high-volume style with questionable defensive discipline. Though he won a unanimous decision to keep his WBA super middleweight title, Munguia’s vulnerabilities were exposed during a rough sixth round where he nearly lost control.

Munguia relied on toughness to survive, showing weaknesses such as susceptibility to uppercuts and a tendency to engage recklessly. With Bektemir Melikuziev set to challenge him next year, these flaws could become critical.

3. The Search for Real Challengers at 168 Pounds

Despite Munguia holding the WBA belt, his close ties to Canelo make him an unlikely opponent. Canelo’s trainer confirmed that Alvarez will likely remain at super middleweight, but the division offers few truly credible challengers.

Among potential contenders:

• Hamzah Sheeraz: A tall British fighter with power and reach, but inconsistent recent performances.
• Lester Martinez: Interim WBC champion with solid wins but limited international recognition and a split draw with Mbilli.
• Osleys Iglesias: IBF champion and dangerous southpaw with impressive knockout power, having stopped 15 of 16 opponents.

Each poses unique challenges but none seem poised for a blockbuster fight with Canelo immediately.

4. Dana White’s Criticism of Boxing Broadcasts Rings True

UFC CEO Dana White has long criticized boxing’s event pacing and broadcast style. Saturday’s pay-per-view was plagued by extended studio segments, recycled interviews, and promotional filler that interrupted the flow of actual fights. Instead of moving swiftly from one bout to the next, viewers endured long delays filled with analysis and talk shows.

This pattern is not exclusive to this event; July’s Anthony Joshua card was similarly drawn out. Other combat sports like Bare Knuckle FC manage faster pacing, respecting fans' time. This bloated production only strengthens White’s argument about boxing’s presentation issues.

5. Hosting in Riyadh Came with Real Risks

The fighters and crew arrived amid serious security warnings in Riyadh, including alerts about hostile aerial threats and missile attacks during fight week. Official advice urged people to avoid crowds and stay indoors due to ongoing dangers from Houthi attacks, which had already caused casualties and damage.

Given these risks, holding a major boxing event in Riyadh was a gamble. While the event passed without incident, the threat was real and highlighted contradictions between global travel advisories and the promotion of Saudi Arabia as a new fight hub.

Early hopes that Riyadh might rival Las Vegas as a fight capital face challenges beyond just logistics, including pacing issues and event planning concerns.