Mexican boxer Saul “Canelo” Alvarez says he is rested and eager to return to the ring when he faces WBC super middleweight champion Christian M'billi in Riyadh on Saturday.

Alvarez arrived in the Saudi capital early on Monday, where fans gave him a warm reception at his hotel. The 36-year-old former two-time undisputed super middleweight champion told Reuters that the time away from competition had left him feeling refreshed ahead of his title challenge.

“I feel great. I can't wait to step in the ring,” Alvarez said. “I think my body needed that kind of rest, and now I feel like it has been 10 years without fighting so I just can't wait to step in the ring.”

The bout is scheduled to proceed despite the cancellation or postponement of other sports events in Saudi Arabia amid security concerns. Fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen has intensified in recent weeks, while the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi airports, including Riyadh's main airport.

For Alvarez, Saturday's contest will be his first since his defeat by Terence Crawford in September 2025. He said the opportunity to meet a reigning champion, and potentially regain a world title, gives the fight particular importance.

“Step in the ring with a world champion and being a world champion again means a lot for me,” he added.

Alvarez also reflected on the Crawford loss, saying he had drawn lessons from it and accepted that his focus had not been where it needed to be during fight week.

“Little mistakes are the difference between winning and losing ... I know what I did in the last fight,” he said. “The week of the fight my mind wasn't there but ... things happen, I learn and that's it, we need to move forward.”

In preparation for M'billi, Alvarez and his team, led by trainer Eddy Reynoso, travelled to Spain to work with the camp of heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Alvarez said the experience had benefited his preparations and that his team intended to demonstrate that work on Saturday.

“We learned from the best and Team Usyk helped me a lot,” Alvarez said. “We're going to show that on Saturday.”