Canelo vs. Mbilli Draws Mixed Reaction

A reported September 12 title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and unbeaten WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli (29-0-1) has drawn widespread reaction across the boxing world. The Ring's Mike Coppinger first reported on April 30 that both fighters had agreed to terms, though Dan Rafael subsequently noted that the Mbilli side had not yet signed paperwork. Riyadh Season chairman Turki Alalshikh then publicly disputed the reporting in a video alongside Coppinger, casting further doubt on the fight's confirmed status. It would be Alvarez's first bout since his unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford last September.