Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez He would be getting closer and closer to returning to the ring and everything indicates that he would do so in a high-caliber fight: against Christian Mbilli for the world title. World Boxing Council (WBC) at super middleweight, in September 2026.
After his loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025, in which he lost the undisputed 168-pound championship, the Mexican boxer has remained out of the ring while recovering from elbow surgery and the physical wear and tear accumulated in recent years. However, his return would be practically on track for one of his favorite dates: Independence Day weekend. Mexico.
Christian Mbilli, Canelo’s possible rival for the WBC title
The name that has gained the most strength to face Canelo is that of the Cameroonian-French Christian Mbilli, who established himself as one of the main protagonists of the super middleweight division in the last year.
Mbilli became interim WBC world champion in 2025 after knocking out Polish Maciej Sulcki in the first round. Later he made his first defense in an intense fight that ended in a draw against the Guatemalan Lester Martínez, in a fight that was considered a real war in the ring.
Mbilli was subsequently promoted to WBC outright champion following Crawford’s retirement, putting him squarely on Canelo Alvarez’s radar as a natural rival for a championship fight.
Canelo would return in September after elbow surgery
After losing to Crawford, Canelo decided to undergo surgery on his elbow, a situation that has delayed his return, but has also allowed him to take the time necessary to return in better condition.
The intention of the Mexican team would be to schedule his return for September, a month in which he has traditionally starred in some of the most important functions of his career. Everything indicates that this time would not be the exception and that he would return directly for a world title.
Lester Martínez also gets into the conversation
Another name that has begun to be heard strongly is that of Guatemalan Lester Martínez, who this weekend won the interim title after beating Immanuwel Aleem.
After his victory, Martínez made it clear that his goal is to face the winner of a possible fight between Canelo and Mbilli, which further fueled speculation about that fight for September.
However, the outlook seems to indicate that Lester will still have to wait. The World Boxing Council itself established that, before fighting for the absolute belt, the Guatemalan must comply with mandatory defenses, while Mbilli does have a defense of his championship scheduled in September.
The WBC leaves clues about the fight between Canelo and Mbilli
Although there is still no official announcement, the WBC’s position has been interpreted as a clear sign that the organization is already on track for the fight between Saúl Álvarez and Christian Mbilli.
All of this suggests that the fight could be held on September 12, 2026, within the long-awaited mega-show “Mexico vs. the World,” a card promoted by Turki Al-Sheikh and Canelo Promotions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
If it happens, the fight would mark Canelo’s return after almost a year out of action and would give him the opportunity to once again become world champion in the super middleweight division.
Canelo would seek to regain prominence at 168 pounds
The possible duel against Mbilli would not only mean the return of Canelo, but also a key opportunity to rebuild his path in the super middleweight division after having lost the undisputed championship.
Christian Mbilli represents a dangerous challenge: he is a fighter with power, aggressiveness and hunger to establish himself as the new face of the category. On the other side, Canelo would arrive with the experience, the name and the pressure to show that he can still compete at the highest level after his defeat and subsequent operation.
For now, the fight has not been officially confirmed, but everything indicates that Canelo Álvarez vs Christian Mbilli for the WBC title is a very real possibility for September.
