Canelo Alvarez Taps Usyk's Team for Mbilli Stamina Test

Canelo Alvarez has brought in members of Oleksandr Usyk's strength and conditioning staff to help prepare for his October 31 fight against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, adding outside fitness specialists to his camp in Gandia, Spain while Eddy Reynoso continues to run the boxing side of training.

The move signals how seriously Canelo's camp is treating the pace Mbilli is expected to bring. Reynoso remains in charge of the technical and tactical work, but Canelo says the new conditioning staff has changed how he approaches his training days.

"In strength and conditioning, I am learning new things," Canelo told The Ring. "I appreciate them because they put all of their energy into me and are doing everything based on what Eddy Reynoso needs for boxing."

Why Canelo Needs a New Gas Tank for Mbilli

Christian Mbilli's constant forward pressure is the direct reason Canelo Alvarez changed his conditioning approach for this camp. Mbilli throws a heavy volume of punches every round, closes distance relentlessly and does not back off when he gets hit. That style is built to punish a counterpuncher who wants to land in spots and then reset. Canelo has always done his best work picking shots and timing opponents who come straight at him, but he still needs the legs and lungs to keep that process going for 12 rounds against someone who refuses to slow down.

This fight also comes with real questions about where Canelo is physically. He is 36 years old, coming off a loss to Terence Crawford, and has been out of the ring for more than a year while recovering from surgery on his left elbow. Whatever benefit the Usyk camp's methods provide, they are being applied to a flat-footed, torque-based puncher rather than the high-output, high-mobility style those drills were built for. Whether that conditioning translates cleanly to Canelo's mechanics is an open question that won't be answered until he's deep into the fight.

What the Training Shift Means for Bettors

For bettors, the key number to watch is how Canelo performs after the midpoint of the fight. Mbilli is the kind of stylistic puzzle who can turn a competitive fight into a stamina test, and if Canelo's output drops in rounds seven through 12, that affects not just the moneyline but also any round-total or distance markets tied to this bout. A fighter adding unfamiliar conditioning work this late in a long career is notable, but new drills in camp are not proof of a rebuilt engine. Until Canelo shows he can keep pace with Mbilli's volume deep into the fight, the smart approach is to treat his output in the second half as the swing factor for how this line should be read.

Canelo also addressed the earlier start times that have affected his recent outings in Saudi Arabia, saying he felt "really weird" fighting in the early morning against William Scull. He has asked promoter Turki Alalshikh to schedule his ring walk for no later than midnight or 1 a.m. local time for the Mbilli fight. That adjustment could help his readiness going into the opening rounds, but it does nothing to change the physical test Mbilli presents once the fight is underway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Canelo Alvarez working with Oleksandr Usyk's conditioning team?

Canelo Alvarez brought in members of Oleksandr Usyk's strength and conditioning staff to improve his stamina ahead of his October 31 fight against Christian Mbilli, a high-volume pressure fighter expected to test his gas tank over 12 rounds.

When and where is Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli?

Canelo Alvarez faces Christian Mbilli on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Canelo training out of his base camp in Gandia, Spain.

What is Canelo Alvarez's recent record coming into the Mbilli fight?

Canelo Alvarez enters the Mbilli fight coming off a loss to Terence Crawford and more than a year out of action following surgery on his left elbow.