Canelo And Mbilli Enroll In Drug Testing – Title Fight Is On

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) and WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) have officially enrolled in VADA testing ahead of their October 31 title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The development comes after concerns earlier this week that bout-specific testing had yet to begin. Saudi promoter Sela had reportedly not paid the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) to launch its enhanced testing program, with little more than a month remaining before the fight.

Both fighters are now enrolled in VADA’s title-fight testing protocol. Alvarez and Mbilli are also participants in the WBC Clean Boxing Program.

Alvarez, a four-division champion, has regularly undergone VADA testing since serving a six-month suspension in 2018 after testing positive for clenbuterol. The Mexican fighter attributed the positive test to contaminated meat. Mbilli has never tested positive for a banned substance.

The fight itself has also now been formally confirmed as part of the ‘Mexico vs. The World’ card at The Venue in Riyadh.

Alvarez will attempt to regain a world title in his first fight since losing his undisputed super middleweight championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025.

Mbilli, meanwhile, was elevated to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement and is coming off a split draw against Lester Martinez on the same night and card as Canelo’s loss to ‘Bud’.