Canelo vs Mbilli Result: Alvarez Wins WBC Title by Unanimous Decision

Canelo Álvarez is a world champion again, and he got there by taking Mbilli’s game apart.

Mbilli arrived unbeaten and known for relentless volume. Canelo gave him a few rounds, solved the pressure, and then made him pay for every step forward.

Below you’ll find the official scorecards, the key rounds, the punch stats, the controversial point deduction, and what could come next.

Canelo had lost his undisputed super middleweight crown to Terence Crawford in September 2025 and then had elbow surgery. Crawford later retired and the belts were split up. Mbilli, who held the WBC interim title, was elevated to full champion, which put him in the champion’s corner on fight night even though Canelo was the bigger name.

Rounds 1–3: Mbilli sets the early pace. Mbilli darted in with fast combinations and got out before Canelo could counter. Canelo stayed patient with the jab and body work, and the opening rounds were competitive.

Rounds 4–6: Canelo finds his timing. Mbilli kept pressing, but his forward movement started feeding Canelo’s counters to the head and body. The judges split on several of these rounds, which shows how close the middle of the fight was.

Round 7: The uppercut. Canelo landed a punishing right uppercut as Mbilli walked forward. It was the clearest example of the counterpunching that decided the fight. By this point, ESPN described Mbilli as out of ideas.

Round 8: The point deduction. Canelo landed a combination, stepped away, and a few moments later Mbilli hit him behind the head. Afu took a point. It was a legitimate foul, and Mbilli apologized right away. But the timing drew heavy criticism: Canelo had gestured to the referee, and a low-blow warning had come earlier. Reports differ on whether Mbilli had been warned about the back of the head. Mbilli’s promoter, Camille Estephan, said it seemed like the referee was influenced, while adding he couldn’t know what was going through the referee’s mind.

Rounds 9–12: Mbilli rallies, Canelo holds on. Mbilli had his best stretch late and took rounds on the cards, including round 11 on all three. It wasn’t enough to change the result.

No. If you give the point back to Mbilli, Canelo still wins by two, four and six points on the three cards. The deduction made the margins bigger, but it didn’t create the winner.

The most revealing number is Mbilli’s volume. Before the fight he was averaging 78 punches per round, about 27 more than the division average. Against Canelo he dropped to 56 per round and landed around 10. Canelo, who had been averaging only 35 per round at super middleweight, threw more than usual and landed far more accurately.

Mostly, yes. At 36, after elbow surgery and a lopsided loss, he showed that his timing, defense and ring control are intact. The fight was also not an all-action classic, and some fans called it slow. It’s fair to say he looked sharp and smart, not that he has returned to his physical prime.

Nothing is confirmed. Here is where things stand:

• Terence Crawford rematch. Canelo said he would love it. Crawford says he’s happily retired and no fight is booked.
• Hamzah Sheeraz. Considered a logical option by several outlets, but not announced.
• Super middleweight champions. Jaime Munguia holds the WBA title after beating Nikita Zon on the same card, and Osleys Iglesias holds the IBF belt.
• Timing. Reports suggest he has one fight left on his Riyadh Season deal, possibly in spring 2027. Reynoso said the team will rest first, and Canelo’s camp plans to meet in a few weeks.

David Benavidez is no longer a realistic target, since he now fights at cruiserweight.

For readers new to the divisions involved, see our complete guide to boxing weight classes.

Mbilli brought pressure and confidence. Canelo brought timing, patience and better punches, and the cards reflect it. He didn’t need a knockout to show he still belongs at the top of the division.