Canelo Alvarez insists the hunger remains unchanged as questions continue to follow him in his September 12 title defense against Christian Mbilli.
The former undisputed super middleweight champion will return after last year’s loss to Terence Crawford, a fight that has fueled debate over whether age and mileage are finally catching up with him. Mbilli has openly described it as the perfect time to face Alvarez, repeatedly pointing to the Mexican star’s age during their recent press conference in Egypt.
Canelo countered that idea.
“I’m so confident. I’m always confident because I know where I’m at, how I’m training, how I feel and how good I am,” Canelo said at the kick-off conference. “I still want it the way I was when I was 15 years old.”
The quote speaks to the biggest question surrounding Alvarez heading into the fight.
At nearly 36 years old, Canelo has spent more than two decades in the sport and has been involved in some of boxing’s toughest nights. His trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin, fights with Miguel Cotto and Dmitry Bivol, and last year’s loss to Crawford have fueled conversation about whether the wear and tear of a long career is starting to show.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently suggested that Mbilli would be a serious problem if Alvarez is no longer the fighter he once was.
Mbilli seems to share that belief.
“I have a good style to beat Canelo. I am a great fighter. I have good power and speed. I have all the abilities to beat Canelo and win this fight,” Mbilli said. “I think this is the perfect time for me.
“I’m not changing my style. I’ll apply pressure, and we’ll see if he can handle it. Be ready, you’re going to be surprised in September. You’re going to regret being in that ring.”
Canelo and Mbilli will headline a Saudi Arabia card on September 12, with the champion looking to prove that reports of his decline have come too soon.
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Last updated on 2026/05/28 at 23:03
