While believing that Canelo Alvarez boasts superior skills, former world champion Paulie Malignaggi remains unconvinced that he dethrones Christian Mbilli.
The two super-middleweights will square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, later today, with Mbilli making a first defence of his WBC world title.
He was upgraded from ‘interim’ to full champion in December, just a few months after boxing to an enthralling 10-round draw with Lester Martinez.
This was because Terence Crawford decided to announce his retirement and, in turn, relinquish the undisputed crown he had acquired by dethroning Canelo.
Back then, many felt the Mexican would be too physically imposing but Crawford, who moved up two weight classes, managed to score a unanimous decision victory in his first outing at 168lbs.
This only added to speculation that Canelo, at the age of 36 and after 68 professional bouts, is no longer capable of performing to his lofty standards.
As a result, Malignaggi has suggested that Mbilli, who typically fights at a frenetic pace, could succeed in outworking Alvarez over 12 rounds.
“I think Canelo’s more skilled than Mbilli, but I don’t think, at 36 years old, that fighting at a [high] pace – when you couldn’t handle a fast pace in your prime – is the smartest thing.
“I get the competitiveness of Canelo – and I respect it, actually. But it’s a tough fight [against Mbilli]. I don’t know if Canelo can offset that pace.”
With Mbilli, like Canelo, having not fought in over a year, it will be interesting to see whether the Frenchman can maintain his usual intensity.
