Mbilli is a nightmare stylistic fit for Canelo at this stage of his career. Canelo is not ancient, but the fighter who walked Gennadiy Golovkin down in their 2018 rematch is gone. At 28, he had the reflexes, counterpunching sharpness and physical vitality to stand in the pocket with an elite pressure fighter.
Eight years later, Canelo operates at a much slower pace and needs longer recovery periods between attacks. He normally conserves energy by holding his ground, making small defensive movements and waiting for opportunities to land hard single counters. That approach gives Mbilli exactly what he wants.
The WBC champion enters behind punches, stays on the front foot and continues throwing after his opening shots have been blocked. Canelo cannot remain behind a stationary guard and expect Mbilli to stop after one or two punches. He will have to escape before those attacks turn into sustained combinations to the head and body.
Using the ring may delay Mbilli’s offense, but it creates another physical drain. Canelo landed 99 of 338 punches in the Terence Crawford fight, averaging only 28.2 attempts and 8.3 connects per round. Despite throwing so little, he still tired during the championship rounds.
That performance raises serious doubts about his ability to keep circling Mbilli. Changing direction and defending extended combinations consume stamina without showing up in Canelo’s punch totals. Mbilli will force him to work during the portions of rounds when he normally rests.
Munguia offers useful preparation because he brings size, aggression and combination punching. He does not reproduce Mbilli’s nonstop pace or compact attacks, however.
Canelo is caught between two exhausting options. Staying on his toes may leave his legs depleted before the late rounds. Remaining near the ropes allows Mbilli to overwhelm him with activity. Canelo may need to hurt the younger champion early because a prolonged fight conducted at Mbilli’s pace favors Mbilli taking control.
Canelo and Jaime Munguia getting in some work together in camp 🔥💪
🎥 via: jaimemunguiaoficial #CaneloMbilli | Oct 31 | Mexico vs The World | Live on DAZN | @ringmagazine 🤳 pic.twitter.com/f6V4GOdRPU
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 27, 2026
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