- Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli on October 31 is part of a 10-bout Mexico vs The World card at The Venue in Riyadh, live on DAZN
- Four world titles are on the card: Canelo vs Mbilli, a WBA super middleweight fight with Jaime Munguia, a WBO featherweight fight with Rafael Espinoza, and a vacant IBF super lightweight title fight
- My pick: Canelo wins a hard decision, and Munguia and Espinoza both keep their hopes alive
The Mexico vs The World Card Is Set
Right then. Turki Alalshikh has put some muscle behind Canelo Alvarez against Christian Mbilli. The Mexico vs The World card is a 10-bout show at The Venue in Riyadh on Saturday, October 31, as part of Riyadh Season, live on DAZN, and it has four world title fights on it.
Let's not beat around the bush: a card like this is what a Canelo fight should look like. The main event headlines the WBC super middleweight title, and the supporting cast is genuinely strong.
The Four World Title Fights
Canelo vs Mbilli
The main event. Mbilli is the unbeaten champion and Canelo is the biggest name in the sport at 168 pounds. I covered the wrinkles in our VADA testing story and the Riyadh security alert piece, but the card is now formally set, which is a good sign for the show going ahead.
Munguia For The WBA Super Middleweight Title
Jaime Munguia defends the WBA belt against a Russian challenger. Munguia has the experience and the power. I like him to do the job, but this is a proper step up in stakes and he knows it.
Espinoza For The WBO Featherweight Title
Rafael Espinoza puts the WBO featherweight title on the line against a Venezuelan challenger. Espinoza is the sort of fighter who rewards patience, and I expect him to make a long night of it for the challenger.
The Vacant IBF Super Lightweight Title
The fourth title fight is for the vacant IBF super lightweight belt, with a Mexican contender facing a Canadian. It is a stylistic collision and a good bet for fight of the night.
Why The Undercard Matters
The depth is the story. Six more bouts fill out the card, with fighters from Mexico, Japan, Kazakhstan, Romania, Cuba and the host nation. A busy undercard means a strong crowd in the arena from the first bell, and it helps the main event.
The Prediction
Make no mistake, Mbilli is a dangerous opponent and the champion has the youth. But Canelo has been in with every kind of fighter, and I think he finds a way on the cards. I say Canelo by a hard unanimous decision. The winner gets Osleys Iglesias, as I said in our Quebec report, and that is the fight the division needs.