Mbilli's promoter says referee seemed 'influenced' to take point off in Canelo Alvarez fight
Camille Estephan questioned the eighth-round deduction but praised Alvarez for "a great performance" after the unanimous decision in Riyadh.
Christian Mbilli's promoter Camille Estephan said it seemed the referee "was influenced" to take a point off the fighter during his WBC super middleweight title defeat to Canelo Alvarez in Riyadh.
Referee Hector Afu docked Mbilli a point in round eight for hitting on the back of the head, after Alvarez gestured to the official following an exchange on the ropes.
In comments published by Sky Sports, Estephan said: "Close fight, hats off to Canelo - a great performance."
On the referee, Estephan said: "It seemed like he was influenced to take that point off. But I'm not in his shoes. I can't understand what went through his mind."
Estephan added: "Regardless, there will be many more big fights for Christian. He belongs."
In an Instagram post translated from French, Mbilli said: "Last night didn't go the way I wanted. I'll learn from this experience, get back in the gym, and come back stronger."
The judges scored the fight 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 as Alvarez regained the title he lost to Terence Crawford in September 2025. The defeat ended Mbilli's unbeaten run of 30 professional bouts and left him at 29-1-1, while Alvarez moved to 64-3-2.
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