SAÚL CANELO ÁLVAREZ VS. CHRISTIAN M’BILLI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
DAZN PPV
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, OCTOBER 30, 2026 — Yesterday, global boxing icon Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) and the undefeated world champion Christian M’Billi (29-0-1, 24 KOs) descended upon Riyadh’s Boulevard City for a final press conference ahead of their Riyadh Season “Mexico vs. The World” clash. The duo met for one last time today prior to Álvarez’s highly anticipated return to the ring this Saturday, October 31, streaming live worldwide on DAZN PPV at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT.
In M’Billi’s first title defense since being upgraded from interim champion, the four-weight world champion Álvarez is looking to become king of the super middleweight division once again after taking a rare loss in his September 2025 fight against Terrence Crawford.
The star-studded main event caps a stacked undercard, highlighted by Mexican superstar Jaime Munguia’s WBA super middleweight title defense against Nikita Zon, and Rafael Espinoza defending his WBO featherweight belt versus Ricardo Blandon.
Below is what all the fighters had to say prior to the blockbuster card:
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, former WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super Middleweight World Champion
“After 20 years as a professional, I’m glad to be here. I’m the challenger now, but always in my mind, I’m the champion. Tune in on Saturday, because it’s going to be a special night.”
On his relationship with His Excellency…
“I appreciate everything he did for boxing and what he did for me. So I appreciate everything His Excellency has done for everybody, and I just had him like my true friend, and that’s it.”
On why he keeps fighting…
“I don’t believe in shortcuts. I’m going straight for the champion because I already have the experience. I’ve been a champion for many years and I want to be a champion again.”
Christian M’Billi, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion
On how he feels heading into the fight…
“I’m ready for this fight. I’m ready to shock the world. I have a lot of respect for Canelo and I want to congratulate him, but on Saturday it’s going to be a different story. I’m coming for the win.”
On how he plans to knock out Canelo…
“We’re going to see. That’s why you don’t want to miss this fight, because we’re going to have a lot of big surprises.”
On how he’s mentally prepared for this fight…
“My training camp was perfect. My mind is ready for this fight. I don’t need to do anything special to win; I only need to be myself. That’s how I’m going to win this fight.”
Mark Ramsay, M’Billi Trainer
“We had a great training camp. No injury, no excuses; we’re ready to fight. We’re ready to give the fans what they deserve: a great boxing match. With the styles of both boxers, we have a guarantee it’s going to be a great match.”
Eddy Renoso, Coach
On how he feels with eight fighters on the card…
“Everyone says ‘it’s me against the world,’ but it’s really the fighters that step into the ring. I know they won’t upset me and we will be victorious on Saturday. I’m very proud of them.”
On the 21st anniversary of Canelo’s professional debut (October 29, 2005) and his career achievements heading into Saturday night…
“We will prove who the greatest boxer in Mexican history is, and we will celebrate that by winning the world title once again.”
Jamie Munguia, WBA Super-Middleweight Champion
On if he’s ready for this fight…
“I’m ready. I had a great camp, and we prepared strongly. It was an amazing camp, and it will be a great fight. You’re going to see the best version of Jamie Munguia.”
Nikita Zon
On how he will take advantage of this opportunity…
“It’s amazing to be in this part of the world and have the opportunity that I will have on Saturday. I want to win in style and convincingly. I came here to win, and I’m leaving with a victory. I will become the new world champion.”
Rafael Espinoza, WBO Featherweight Champion
On how he feels coming into this fight…
“I was in Spain doing my training camp along with Eddie and the team. I never had a camp like this before. I was fully focused and 100% into this.”
Ricardo Blandon
On what this fight means to him..
“I want to thank and acknowledge my family for the opportunity that they have given me to have this world title fight in this beautiful country. To my promoter as well. My strategy, well, you will see that on Saturday. Please enjoy the fight because I didn’t come on a field trip.”
Reito Tsutsumi
On how he’s prepared for this fight…
“So I’ve been building up my skills, and I’ve been trying so hard to be stronger. So I’m very excited for my match on Saturday.”
Raymundo Rojas, super featherweight contender
On his expectations for the fight…
“I have to be very smart on Saturday, and I have to bring out the Mexican style. I have an opportunity here, and I’m going to take it with both hands.”
David Picasso, WBC Silver Featherweight Champion
On what he’s expecting from this fight…
“Not only do I have to win, I also have to dominate, and I have to KO. This belt is going back to Mexico, and it will help me have a new opportunity to have a title shot and become a champion.”
Carl Jammes Martin, former Global Super Bantamweight champ
On what his fight strategy is…
“My record is nothing today. I face Picasso. I respect him so much, but I really came here to win. I’m ready to win all the rounds. I want to win impressively.”
Erik Villegas, super featherweight prospect
On how he’s prepared for this fight…
“I feel blessed and happy for this opportunity. Sultan is a great opponent. I’m excited for this opportunity, and what comforts me is that I am Mexican. It’s a guaranteed spectacle for Saturday.”
Sultan Almohammed, undefeated super featherweight prospect
On what he worked on with his coach to prepare…
“Eddie is a great coach, and he’s working with me like well, he gave me everything I need, and that’s what I’m looking for.”
Héctor Aguirre, undefeated super middleweight prospect
On fighting on this card…
“It’s been a great honor to be here and support the undercard of Canelo Alvarez. This is a great reflection of my work of many years working with my great team. It’s a blessing to have the type of team that I have.”
Brayan Leon, undefeated super middleweight prospect
On training alongside Canelo…
“It has been an outstanding experience having championship-caliber training. Having them next to me not only gives me motivation but helps me get better as I get deeper into my boxing career.”
Flavius Biea, former WBC Latino Super Welterweight Champion
On why he’s unretiring…
“It’s a great opportunity for me to be here. I feel good, and I want to have a good fight Saturday night.”
Emiliano Rojo, super middleweight prospect
On what kind of statement he wants to make on Saturday…
“Well, I know that my opponent has experience and he knows a few things, but I’m ready for that challenge. I’m ready to showcase what I have to bring on Saturday and to not only bring honor to our people here in Riyadh, but also to everybody that supported me.”
Bek Nurmaganbet, super middleweight prospect
On why he’s ready for a title fight next time out…
“I’m ready for every fight, but this fight is one I need to win. My opponent is a strong guy, but I need to win. After that, my dream is a championship fight.”
Marcos Vazquéz, super middleweight contender
On how he feels to represent Mexico…
“That’s the reason why I’m here to make sure that everybody knows that we’re here to get all on the line and make sure that everybody knows we’re leading a great show on Saturday.”
