Canelo Alvarez Regains World Title, Calls for Crawford Rematch After Riyadh Victory

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has reclaimed the world championship, one year after surrendering his super-middleweight titles to Terence Crawford.

That September 2025 defeat marked just the third loss of Alvarez’s career. Crawford retired soon afterward, and the belts were scattered. Christian Mbilli was elevated from interim to full champion, and his first defense was booked against Alvarez, who was returning from elbow surgery.

In Riyadh on Saturday night, Alvarez outclassed Mbilli—a fighter known for relentless pressure and an unblemished record—through superior timing, precision, and defense. Even at 69 professional bouts, Alvarez proved he remains at the elite level. By the midway point, Mbilli had no answer, and Alvarez secured a unanimous-decision victory to reclaim the belt.

Following the bout, Terence Crawford congratulated Alvarez via social media, continuing the respectful rivalry that has defined their relationship before and after their fight.

Shortly afterward, while being interviewed by Fight Hub TV, the newly crowned champion savored the win and once again called for the rematch.

“I felt like I did when I won my first title. After twenty-one years as a professional, sixteen since my first world championship, I feel like I’ve just won the first one. [I’m] grateful to everyone who supports me and [I’m] representing my country with so much pride.”

“Let’s hope [Crawford comes out of retirement]. Let’s hope so. Honestly, we’d love to have that rematch. Like I said, if not, we’ll keep moving forward with our career, but hopefully that fight can happen.”

Although boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has an offer to return on the table, Crawford says he is comfortable in retirement and has nothing left to prove. His record now appears even more impressive given Alvarez’s performance against Mbilli, a fighter many believed would expose any decline in Crawford’s abilities.

Several high-profile figures in the sport believe Crawford could return for the right fight, but a rematch with Alvarez does not appear to be that fight.

Alvarez and his team are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks to discuss their next steps.

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