Promoter points to reported Christian Mbilli fight as sign of late-career stage
Oscar De La Hoya says Canelo Alvarez is approaching the end of his career and has only a few fights left. He pointed to a reported September bout with Christian Mbilli as part of that stage.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli has been reported as a done deal, targeted for Mexican Independence Day weekend in September 2026, although an exact date has not been officially confirmed.
De La Hoya said Alvarez is no longer at the same stage as earlier in his run.
“Every fighter has their peak, and then you start to see the exit clear, and Canelo is right there,” De La Hoya said to Sean Zittel. “He’s a few fights away from retirement. I don’t blame him for taking the money and running. I don’t blame him. I mean, smart guy.”
De La Hoya’s “cash-out” narrative feels so disconnected from the tactical reality of this matchup. Calling Christian Mbilli a “take the money and run” opponent suggests Oscar might be looking at the name recognition rather than the film.
If a fighter is looking for an easy exit, you don’t pick a 31-year-old high-volume puncher like Mbilli.
Canelo is 35, coming off left elbow surgery, and coming off a decisive loss to Crawford, where he looked stagnant in the championship rounds. Taking on a pressure fighter like Mbilli in Riyadh is a massive gamble.
De La Hoya acknowledged Alvarez still has meaningful fights left before stepping away.
“He has a few good fights left in him against great fighters,” said Oscar.
If Mbilli drowns Canelo in volume or even obliterates”him, De La Hoya’s timeline for those remaining “good fights” evaporates instantly. The narrative that he has a few left implies he can still compete at the elite level, but the 168-pound division has shifted toward younger, more physically imposing fighters.
