Canelo Alvarez Ramps Up Stamina Work to Handle Christian Mbilli's Volume

Canelo Alvarez is putting in extra stamina work ahead of his October 31 return against Christian Mbilli, acknowledging that the unbeaten challenger's relentless pace presents a different kind of threat.

"We know he's a fighter with a lot of stamina, who throws a lot of punches," Canelo told ESPN MX. "We have the experience. Obviously, we've been working very hard on having the stamina ourselves to be able to respond in the same way."

Canelo, 36, is coming back after more than a year away following a defeat and elbow surgery. The layoff raises legitimate questions about his gas tank, especially against a fighter like Mbilli who builds volume round by round and does not let opponents rest.

The game plan, per Canelo's camp, centers on body punching. Canelo intends to attack downstairs early and consistently to slow Mbilli's output before the later rounds. It is a strategy that has worked for Canelo throughout his career, but executing it requires the kind of conditioning that a long layoff can erode.

Mbilli represents the most physically demanding challenge Canelo has faced in years. The Cameroonian-French fighter is younger, hungrier, and throws punches at a rate that punishes passive opponents. Canelo cannot afford to stand in front of him and admire his own counters.

The Halloween date gives Canelo's team four more weeks to sharpen his conditioning. At this point in his career, the preparation matters as much as the talent.