Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez is preparing to return to the ring after losing his undisputed super middleweight titles to Terence Crawford, and his comeback could come with another enormous payday. Canelo is scheduled to challenge unbeaten WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Canelo could receive a reported $47 million purse for the fight, while Mbilli is reportedly in line for $8.9 million. However, those figures have not been independently confirmed, making the reported purses separate from the officially confirmed details of the bout.
The World Boxing Council has confirmed that Mbilli is the reigning WBC champion and that Canelo will challenge him for the 168-pound title.
Canelo’s Comeback Could Be Another Massive Payday
Canelo has not fought since his unanimous decision defeat to Terence Crawford in September 2025, a loss that ended his second reign as undisputed super middleweight champion. The defeat was only the third of his professional career, but it did not significantly affect his status as one of boxing’s biggest financial attractions.
Celebrity Net Worth previously estimated that Canelo earned at least $100 million for the Crawford fight, helping push his career earnings beyond $800 million. If the reported $47 million figure for the Mbilli fight proves accurate, his tracked career earnings could move closer to $850 million.
That would be a remarkable number for a comeback fight against an opponent who does not have Crawford’s worldwide star power. Still, Mbilli presents a major sporting challenge because Canelo will enter the fight as the challenger against an undefeated world champion.
Christian Mbilli Brings an Unbeaten Record and WBC Title
Mbilli was elevated from interim champion to full WBC super middleweight champion in January 2026. The French-Cameroonian boxer is known for his aggressive pressure style and brings a record of 29 wins, no losses and one draw, with 24 knockouts.
The WBC also described Mbilli as one of the division’s most dangerous aggressive fighters, making the Canelo fight the biggest opportunity of his career. The champion previously said in an interview with the Mr. Verzace Podcast, reported by the World Boxing Council,
“I am not going to change anything. I am going to throw punches from the first second to the last second of the fight.”
Mbilli added,
“I am in my prime and I am going to take advantage of it,”
making it clear that he intends to use his youth, pressure and activity against the more experienced Mexican star.
Canelo vs. Mbilli Was Moved to October 31
The fight was originally scheduled for September 12 before being postponed. Canelo later confirmed that family issues had prevented him from starting his training camp as planned.
Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s show, Canelo explained, “Some problems in my family came up,” adding that he needed to deal with them before beginning his preparation. He later confirmed that the situation had improved and that he was ready to train for the October 31 date.
The bout remains part of Canelo’s wider relationship with Riyadh Season. The financial terms of his broader deal have not been officially disclosed, although Saudi Arabia has continued to host some of the sport’s most expensive and high-profile events.
At 36, Canelo has said he may have only a few more fights left before pursuing other goals outside boxing. That makes the Mbilli fight important both financially and competitively. A win would return him to the top of the super middleweight division, while the reported $47 million payday would further strengthen his position among the highest-earning fighters in boxing history.
