Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will be replaced by Christian Mbilli as the No 1 star in boxing, says promoter Camille Estephan
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez challenges Christian Mbilli for WBC super-middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on September 12; Canelo can regain the WBC belt after losing it in a points defeat to Terence Crawford last year; Mbilli has a 29-fight unbeaten record with 24 stoppages and one draw
Wednesday 17 June 2026 14:17, UK
Christian Mbilli can replace Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez as the 'number one' star in the sport, says promoter Camille Estephan.
Canelo remains a hugely popular figure in boxing, despite his defeat by Terence Crawford last September, and the Mexican will seek to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight title when he challenges Mbilli on September 12.
But Mbilli's promoter Estephan is supremely confident that the unbeaten champion will massively enhance his profile with a sensational win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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"I believe Mbilli has what it takes to use this platform to show that he's number one in the sport," Estephan told Sky Sports.
"His goal is clearly to take the spot of Canelo and I believe he has everything in place to deliver the performance of his life.
"Canelo is in trouble."
Canelo lost his WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA super-middleweight belts in a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford, who was stripped of the WBC belt before entering retirement.
Mbilli was elevated to WBC champion and the Canada-based fighter is now aiming to make a stunning first defence.
Asked if Canelo had made a mistake by targeting Mbilli, Estephan said: "I believe Canelo wants to fight Mbilli to take back the WBC belt and that is good enough reason.
"Now whether he can take it back or not is a different story.
"Mbilli is not going to Riyadh for anything less than an emphatic victory."
