The bout between Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) and the WBC super middleweight champion Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) will headline a "Mexico vs. The World" show in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia. DAZN will offer the card to subscribers of its Ultimate plan and on pay-per-view.

"Usyk and I have always been very good friends, and we talk every time we see each other. We like each other," Alvarez said in an interview with The Ring's Mike Coppinger. "I saw a lot of videos and I asked. They put me in the gym, and I very much appreciate them. They teach me a lot, and I learn very fast. I like it. I enjoy it. I feel very good.

"In strength and conditioning, I am learning new things. I appreciate them because they put all of their energy into me and are doing everything based on what [my head coach] Eddy Reynoso needs for boxing. That's very good."

Alvarez also elaborated that training in Gandia will allow him to become better accustomed to fighting in a different time zone, especially after he experienced difficulties the last time he fought in Riyadh in the wee hours of the morning against William Scull in a forgettable fight in May 2025.

"It was a very bad experience. It was 6 a.m., and I felt really weird," Alvarez said. "I talked to Turki Alalshikh, and I said no more than 12 or 1 a.m. [for the Mbilli fight]. I don't know. Because I don't want to experience the same thing I experienced the last time. So, we'll see. We are going to do the best we can for the fans.

"Right now, because of the time, it's a two-hour difference from Riyadh. And the last time I fought in Riyadh, it was very hard for me. And now I understand. I learned about the nervous system. It takes like 21 days to adapt. That's why we came here. Plus, we are learning a lot from the strength and conditioning from Team Usyk."

Alvarez last fought in September 2025 and lost for the third time of his illustrious career against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas. The former four-division champion underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow the following month.

Despite coming off a loss and dealing with injuries at 36, Alvarez is still viewed as a -260 betting favorite against the hard-charging Mbilli.

"I'm a winner, and I'm going to win on October 31, for sure," Alvarez said. "That's why I'm here, training and focused 100 percent on the fight."

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan