Canelo Alvarez is expecting Christian Mbilli to force him into the style of fight that would steal the show on September 12, and he even compared parts of the matchup to the old James Toney rope-counter style.<\/p>\n
Lots of fans questioned whether Canelo (64-2-2, 39 KOs) was taking a softer option by selecting Mbilli as an alternative of David Benavidez or Dmitry Bivol. Canelo dismissed that concept this week, saying Mbilli\u2019s pressure-heavy style is strictly why he wanted the fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a champion. He\u2019s fighter. He\u2019s got that good style. It\u2019s going to be fight for the fans. Everyone thinks I\u2019m going to take a straightforward fight, but I wish to go straight with the champions,\u201d said Canelo to InsideRingShow.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) has built his repute on nonstop pressure, combination punching, and forcing opponents into exchanges. That style has led some fans to match the matchup to the form of fights that sometimes bring out the perfect version of Canelo.<\/p>\n Mike Coppinger mentioned the potential for the fight becoming a Fight of the Yr contender and pointed to how the styles may mesh together in a way much like a few of Canelo\u2019s past wars with Gennadiy Golovkin.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so. I believe he has style. My style makes it perfect for his style, and it might be. It might be a fight of the 12 months. Yeah, I see that,\u201d said Canelo when reacting to being told he could spend parts of the fight against the ropes countering Mbilli the way in which James Toney used to during his prime years.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The larger takeaway could have been Canelo admitting he cannot afford a slow start against Mbilli\u2019s pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be ready for the whole lot because normally I take my time in a single round, two rounds to see the whole lot. I believe with Mbilli, I want to start out things in the primary round,\u201d said Canelo.<\/p>\n That comment says plenty about how Canelo views Mbilli\u2019s style. Fighters that allow Canelo to settle right into a measured pace normally find yourself getting picked apart over twelve rounds. Mbilli\u2019s pressure may force him right into a much faster fight than usual. That might be why Canelo sounds way more curious about this matchup than many expected.<\/p>\n Could Canelo vs Mbilli be a Fight of the Yr candidate? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n Watch #InsideTheRing<\/a> NOW on DAZN. @InsideRingShow<\/a> | @RingMagazine<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jMxk5n0t9B<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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