Canelo vs Mbilli preview: Canelo Alvarez looks to become world super middleweight champion when he challenges Christian Mbilli on Saturday in Riyadh. Check out the Canelo vs Mbilli prediction below.
Mbilli puts his WBC title on the line against Canelo at the Kingdom Arena, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The card, which has been billed “Mexico vs The World” has been cast into doubt in recent weeks, following missile attacks from Houthis, which forced King Khalid International Airport to close. However, the airport has reopened and the Canelo vs Mbilli fight is on track, with both men in Riyadh preparing for Saturday.
The bill which features nine Mexican fighters has lost a world title bout. Lindolfo Delgado has pulled out of his scheduled IBF super lightweight title fight with Arthur Biyarslanov, due to security concerns.
Indeed, Alvarez is looking to return to winning ways in what will be his 69th professional bout. The four-weight world champion was relieved of his undisputed super middleweight crown by Terence Crawford last September.
Canelo’s road to Mbilli
Elbow surgery then sidelined the Mexican great, but he now looks to win back his old belt.
Questions remain, though, over whether he can summon another vintage display at 36, particularly after his defeat to Crawford.
Meanwhile, the WBC elevated Mbilli from interim to full champion after Crawford retired and vacated his belts.
The Frenchman fought on the Canelo-Crawford bill. He was held to a split decision draw with Lester Martinez.
Mbilli’s vital lack of experience may prove pivotal. Alvarez represents the toughest challenge of his career by some distance.
Canelo vs Mbilli prediction: Canelo is coming towards the end of a decorated career and his performance against Crawford only enhanced beliefs that the end is near. However, Mbilli’s pressure style should suit him. I expect Alvarez to win the belt with a tight points win.
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Munguia, Espinoza in world title fights
Elsewhere on the Canelo vs Mbilli preview, Jaime Munguia makes a first defence of his WBA super middleweight world title. Munguia ripped away the belt from Armando Resendiz in May.
Now, the two-weight world champion faces Russian southpaw, Nikita Zon, who is undefeated in 13 professional bouts.
Prediction: Munguia should win by decision.
Meanwhile, Rafael Espinoza makes a fifth defence of his WBO featherweight crown against Ricardo Brandon.
Espinoza forced Arnold Khegai to retire after 11 rounds last November.
Prediction: Espinoza can win by stoppage.
Canelo vs Mbilli Preview – Remaining Undercard
David Alan Picasso continues his rebuild after defeat to Naoya Inoue. The Mexican has since moved up in weight and can close in on another world title shot with a points victory over Carl Jammes Martin, who moves up from super bantamweight for this contest.
Meanwhile, Japan’s super featherweight hope Reito Tsutsumi can secure another early win over Raymundo Rojas Garcia. Sultan Almohammed can do the same in his super featherweight clash with Erick Jahir Urvina Villegas.
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Kazakh super middleweight, Bek Nurmaganbet should remained unbeaten with a knockout of Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez. While, Emiliano Rojo should also win by stoppage against Flavius Biea at middleweight.
Rounding off the Canelo vs Mbilli preview, Cuban super middleweight, Brayan Leon can snap the undefeated record of Hector Aguirre by knockout.
