WBC Super Middleweight Challenge
A refreshed looking challenger in Canelo Alvarez (64-3-2, 39 Kos) in the DAZN Main Event against WBC Super Middleweight Champion Christian “Solide” Mbilli (29-1-1, 24 Kos), silenced all the naysayers who doubted him inside that squared circle on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The “Canelo effect” was on full display once he stepped foot inside that squared circle opposite of Mbilli, who is usually a high-volume aggressive fighter but, on this night, became a shell of himself having to throw hands with a seasoned “Kingpin” who knew his way around that square circle.
Canelo’s “game plan” was simple, flawless and most effective just by the way he controlled the pace of the bout by preventing Mbilli from bullying him with a high-octane punch output due to Canelo’s precise counter punching, accurate jab and exceptional defensive tactics that had Mbilli second-guessing his approach all night.
Canelo established himself early by making his presence felt by landing the more accurate power punches clearly showing effect round by round. Mbilli had some moments but was never able to capitalize on them long enough to deter Canelo from having his way with him inside that squared circle.
The level of patience that Canelo displayed throughout this bout was very impressive. Canelo’s experience and superior ring IQ was simply too much for Mbilli to deal with on this level. Had Mbilli approached this challenge without being gun-shy and with a few more options to try, maybe the outcome would have been different.
That being said, after 12 full rounds of action, the Judges at hand could only see it one way, 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112, unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.
With this very convincing win, the “Kingpin” is officially back at the top of the Super Middleweight Division and the New WBC Super Middleweight Champion of the World.
Well done, Champ!
Blaze