Canelo Alvarez may have lost his undisputed super middleweight titles and suffered a major defeat in his last fight, but his earning power appears to remain at the highest level in boxing. The Mexican superstar is scheduled to return on October 31, 2026, when he challenges undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fight marks Canelo’s first appearance since his September 2025 loss to Terence Crawford, a defeat that ended his reign as the undisputed champion at 168 pounds. ESPNhas confirmed the Canelo vs. Mbilli fight and its October 31 date, while The Ring also lists the bout as a WBC super middleweight title fight in Riyadh.
A report from Celebrity Net Worth claims that Canelo could receive a $47 million purse for his comeback, although the reported figure has not been independently confirmed.
Canelo Returns as the Challenger Against Christian Mbilli
The October bout presents an unusual situation for Canelo. After spending years as one of boxing’s most dominant champions, he will enter the ring as the challenger against Mbilli, who holds the WBC super middleweight title.
Canelo brings a professional record of 63 wins, three losses and two draws, including 39 knockouts. Mbilli, meanwhile, remains unbeaten with 29 wins, no losses and one draw, with 24 victories coming by knockout. The 31-year-old champion represents one of the most dangerous opponents Canelo has faced during his long career.
Mbilli was elevated to full WBC champion after previously holding the interim title. He had fought Lester Martinez to a draw on the Canelo-Crawford undercard before becoming the recognized champion, setting up a major opportunity to defend his belt against one of the sport’s biggest names.
Reported $47 Million Purse Highlights Canelo’s Earning Power
The biggest talking point surrounding Canelo’s comeback is the reported $47 million purse. If accurate, it would represent another enormous payday despite his defeat to Crawford and lengthy absence from the ring.
The figure is considerably lower than the reported minimum $100 million guarantee Canelo received for the Crawford super-fight, but that bout featured two of the biggest stars of their generation. Mbilli does not carry the same mainstream recognition as Crawford, making a reported $47 million guarantee particularly notable for a comeback fight.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Canelo’s career earnings have already exceeded $800 million, including fight purses, endorsements and other business income. Another reported $47 million payday could move his tracked career earnings closer to $850 million, although such lifetime financial estimates depend on figures that are not always publicly disclosed or independently verified.
Canelo’s bout with Mbilli is also part of his ongoing association with Riyadh Season, which has become a major force in boxing. While the full financial details of Canelo’s broader agreement have not been officially revealed, Saudi Arabia has continued attracting some of the sport’s biggest names and championship fights.
Why Canelo Delayed His Return
The Canelo vs. Mbilli fight was originally planned for an earlier date before being moved to October 31. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Canelo explained that family matters prevented him from starting his training camp as planned.
“Some problems in my family came up,” Canelo said, explaining that he needed to prioritize his family before beginning preparations. He added that he was now ready to resume training and prepare for his return. ESPN reported on the rescheduled date and Canelo’s explanation.
At 36, Canelo is returning after one of the most difficult stretches of his career. Yet his upcoming fight against Mbilli offers him an immediate opportunity to reclaim a world title while proving that a loss to Crawford has not diminished his status as one of boxing’s biggest attractions.