Canelo Alvarez rolls back the years to claim WBC title from Christian Mbilli

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez claimed the WBC super middleweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Much of the discussion throughout fight week had centred on events outside the ring rather than the contest itself. Organisers SELA and Turki Alalshikh had faced criticism for pressing ahead with the event despite security concerns following missile and drone strikes targeting Riyadh in recent weeks. In the end, thankfully, the only bombs thrown on Saturday night were those exchanged by Alvarez and Mbilli inside the ring.

At times, it was vintage Alvarez. The Mexican showed few signs of the 413 days spent out of the ring since his defeat to Terence Crawford and recovering from elbow surgery, producing one of his best performances in recent years to overcome the relentless pressure of the 31-year-old Mbilli.

There had been doubts over whether Alvarez, now 36, could withstand the Frenchman's intensity, but the former undisputed champion met fire with fire before gradually taking control. The judges returned scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in his favour, improving his record to 64-3-2 (39 KOs), while Mbilli fell to 29-1-1 (24 KOs).

Alvarez described his performance as “perfect” after reclaiming one of the four titles he lost in his defeat to Crawford in September last year

“It's so difficult to explain [how I feel], it feels like my first title,” the Mexican said after the fight. “21 years as a professional and 16 years after I won my first title – now I've won again. I'm going to rest, I'll keep learning, a couple weeks off and then I'll come back.”

The victory was an emotional one for Alvarez, whose future at the highest level had been questioned following his defeat to Crawford. Those who believed Mbilli could bring an end to his championship ambitions would have been encouraged by the Frenchman's opening efforts.

Mbilli set a frantic pace from the opening bell, pressing Alvarez towards the ropes and unloading punches in bunches. The Mexican appeared content to lean back and look for counters, but the champion was throwing three punches for every one Alvarez attempted.

There was a spring in Mbilli's step as he continued to let his hands go in the second, with a sharp right hand whistling past Alvarez's chin.

The Frenchman grew increasingly confident in the third, throwing flurries as Alvarez bobbed and weaved against the ropes. Much of Mbilli's work was untidy, but his volume gave the Mexican plenty to think about.

Alvarez, however, was not discouraged. He waved Mbilli forward, inviting more pressure before dipping to his right and responding with a thudding counter right hand as Mbilli stepped into range.

Seemingly tired of allowing Mbilli’s success, Alvarez began pushing forward in the fifth. He whipped his lead left hand around the champion's guard before following with his right, stunning Mbilli.

Alvarez's trademark left hook was becoming an increasingly effective weapon, and Mbilli struggled to find an answer. The Frenchman's response was to throw more punches at close quarters, but Alvarez welcomed the exchanges, landing a succession of four hooks when Mbilli moved inside.

The Mexican produced perhaps the best punch of the fight in the seventh, he waited for Mbilli to dart forward before whipping a right uppercut through the middle. The shot landed flush on the button and rocked the Frenchman.

As the rounds passed, Alvarez began landing with more and more while Mbilli's work rate steadily declined. The champion appeared reluctant to commit to his attacks, wary of walking into another punishing left hook.

By the 10th session, Alvarez was in complete control.

The Mexican worked behind his jab, varying between head and body before bringing his left hook around Mbilli's guard. It was vintage Alvarez, and the Frenchman, who had spent the early rounds marching forward, was now frequently backing away.

Mbilli attempted to raise the tempo in the championship rounds, but his late rally was too little too late. He unloaded a flurry as Alvarez rested against the ropes in the 12th and final round, but the Mexican once again timed his opponent. He landed a sharp right uppercut that buckled Mbilli's legs late in the session

It was one of Alvarez's most convincing performances in recent years. The Mexican is no longer the fighter he was at his peak, but against a younger, aggressive champion, Alvarez showed he is still a force at 168lbs.