Canelo Alvarez beats Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision to win WBC super middleweight title
The judges scored it 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in Riyadh, and Mbilli lost a point in the eighth round for a punch to the back of the head.
Canelo Alvarez won the WBC super middleweight title in Riyadh on Saturday night, beating Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision over 12 rounds.
The judges scored the fight 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 for Alvarez. Mbilli had a point taken off in the eighth round for a punch to the back of the head. It was the first defeat of his professional career.
Alvarez established his jab early and caught Mbilli with counter punches, including uppercuts, as Mbilli came forward. Mbilli was making the first defence of the title since he was elevated to full WBC champion.
It was Alvarez's first fight since his defeat by Bud Crawford, a loss that cost him his undisputed super middleweight title.
Earlier on the card, Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO featherweight title when the ringside doctor stopped his fight with Ricardo Blandon in the third round because of a cut over Blandon's eye.
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About this report
Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.