On Saturday, October 31, 2026, Kingdom Arena in Riyadh will host one of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will face Christian Mbilli in a bout for the WBC super middleweight championship belt. For the 36-year-old Mexican, this is an attempt to return to the championship path after a hiatus of more than a year and the loss of his undisputed world champion status. The main event of the evening will start no earlier than 00:30 Kyiv time on November 1.
Alvarez's Journey: From Undisputed Champion to Comeback
Saul Alvarez approaches the fight against Mbilli after a lengthy break. The Mexican last stepped into the ring on September 13, 2025, when he lost to Terence Crawford and was stripped of his undisputed world champion title. More than a year has passed since then, during which Canelo restructured his team, changed part of his training process, and prepared for a return to the division's elite. Despite being 36 years old, Alvarez retains his ambitions and intends to reclaim the championship title.
Mbilli: From Interim Champion to Full Belt Holder
Christian Mbilli claimed the WBC championship belt in June 2025 by defeating Poland's Maciej Sulecki to become the interim world champion. The Frenchman was subsequently elevated to the status of full titleholder. However, in his last fight on September 13, 2025, Mbilli fought to a draw with Lester Martinez, which came as a surprise to many observers. Now he faces the task of defending his belt against one of the most experienced boxers of our time.
The Usyk Factor: Camp, Joint Training, and Weigh-In
Special interest in Alvarez's preparation was drawn by his work in Oleksandr Usyk's training camp. Canelo trained with his core team, but admitted that spending time in the Ukrainian champion's camp taught him a lot. "In strength and physical conditioning, I am learning a lot of new things. I appreciate this, because they pour all their effort into me and do everything in accordance with the requirements of my head boxing trainer Eddy Reynoso. This is very good," the Mexican stated. Alvarez also held a joint training session with Oleksandr Usyk, who personally arrived in Riyadh along with the Mexican for the fight. It was under Usyk's supervision that Canelo and Mbilli passed the official weigh-in ahead of the championship bout.
Where to Watch the Broadcast in Ukraine
The official broadcaster of the boxing evening in Ukraine will be the DAZN streaming platform. Viewing the main bout will be available via the Pay-Per-View (PPV) system for an additional fee. The cost of access to the broadcast for Ukrainian users is 899 hryvnias. To watch, you must have a standard DAZN subscription and purchase access to the specific event. At the same time, on certain premium tiers, including DAZN Ultimate, the broadcast may be included in the subscription price at no extra charge.
Context and Stakes of the Evening
The Alvarez vs. Mbilli bout shapes up as a classic clash between experience and ambition. On one side is the 36-year-old Mexican with a stellar resume seeking to reclaim his lost status. On the other is the French champion, confidently moving on an upward trajectory and intent on cementing his title. The fight will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, which in recent years has become one of the key venues for major boxing events worldwide.
