Dmitriy Salita has seen boxing from different angles.
He’s a promoter whose client list features Claressa Shields.
He’s a retired welterweight boxer who says he sparred with Tyson Fury and that Fury is among his friends.
With those credentials, Salita will have more than casual interest when Canelo Alvarez fights Christian Mbilli
, the reigning WBC super middleweight title, Saturday, Oct. 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.“Mbilli is the kind of fighter who can give Canelo real problems,’’ Salita told USA TODAY Sports. “He’s a big puncher, physically strong, and hungry.’’
Is Alvarez walking into disaster against Mbilli?
He is 36, five years older than the 31-year-old Mbilli.
Mbilli is coming off a split draw to Lester Martinez, the WBC interim super middleweight
champion. But before that, Mbilli stopped four of his previous five opponents.
Alvarez is coming off a dispiriting unanimous-decision loss to Terence Crawford. He has failed to knock out any of his past eight opponents, a streak that stretches back to his TKO victory over Caleb Plant in 2021.
Yes, Alvarez could be walking into disaster.
“Everyone’s time eventually comes, but that shouldn’t diminish what Canelo accomplished in his prime,’’ Salita said, who also added, “If Canelo beats (Mbilli) convincingly, it would show he still belongs at the top.’’
Canelo vs. Mbilli predictions
Terence Crawford (to DAZN): “Styles make fights and Mbilli’s style is tailor made for Canelo. Mbilli can’t do nothing but press Canelo.” Prediction: Canelo wins.
Devin Haney (to DAZN): "I think that it is a tailor-made fight for Canelo to go in there and look good and look like he is back and he’s reincarnated. I don’t think Mbilli will test him at all.” Prediction: Canelo wins.
Bob Arum (to Ring Magazine): “I think it’s the end of the road for Canelo. Mbilli is a hell of a fighter. Very tenacious, very confident, and I’m looking for him to beat Canelo." Prediction: Mbilli wins.
Canelo vs. Mbilli full card odds
Odds via BetMGM. Odds available only for main and co-main
- Canelo Alvarez (-300) vs. Christian Mbilli (+220), for Mbilli's WBC super middleweight title
- Jaime Munguia (-900) vs. Nikita Zon (+500), for Munguia's WBA super middleweight title
- Rafael Espinoza vs. Ricardo Blandon, for Espinoza's WBO featherweight title
- Raymond Rojas Garcia vs. Reito Tsutsumi, super featherweight
- Bek Nurmaganbet vs Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez, super middleweight
- Brayan Leon vs Hector Aguirre, super-middleweight
- Emiliano Rojo vs Flavius Biea, middleweight
- Sultan Almohammed vs Erick Jahir Urvina Villegas, super-featherweight
Canelo vs. Mbilli: How to watch
- Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Time: 1 p.m. ET main card starts.
- Pay-per-view: DAZN
- PPV fee: $79.99 (plus subscription
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Canelo Alvarez walking into disaster vs Christian Mbilli? Expert predictions
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