Christian Mbilli defends the WBC super middleweight title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at The Venue in Riyadh on October 31, with no official change to the venue despite a US security alert and the airport attacks that have followed. The card is still being promoted on DAZN pay-per-view as “Mexico vs. The World,” and promoter Turki Alalshikh unveiled the full undercard on Wednesday, three weeks out from the first bell.
The ground beneath that announcement has moved all week.
Three killed in airport strikes
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a public alert on October 5 warning of the potential for drone or missile attacks and urging American citizens to follow Saudi Civil Defense guidance. Boxing outlets began questioning whether the fight could stay in Riyadh almost immediately.
The warning turned concrete this week. Houthi forces hit King Khalid International Airport twice in a matter of days. A Saudia Airbus A320 was destroyed on the tarmac, and the Yemen-based group warned that “all global airlines” flying in Saudi airspace face risk.
Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother breaks silence with emotional message to Portugal
Three people were killed and 36 injured in the airport strikes, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.
The US Embassy told its citizens to “be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions.”
Mbilli defends the belt he inherited
Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) walks into his first defense as full WBC champion. The Montreal-based fighter was elevated to full champion in January after Terence Crawford, who had taken the undisputed title off Alvarez the previous September, vacated the belt and retired.
Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) comes in as the challenger. He has not fought since that Crawford defeat, and the Mbilli bout was originally set for September 12 before Alvarez’s camp was pushed back by a family matter and shifted to October 31.
Read also: Golden State Warriors gets the former No. 1 overall pick back
Jaime Munguia defends his WBA super middleweight title against Nikita Zon in the co-main. Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov meet for the vacant IBF super lightweight title.
No move, but a Vegas rumor
No official announcement has been made about relocating the card. Commentator @BarbosaBox floated a November 21 date in Las Vegas, but that is speculation; the WBC continues to list Riyadh for October 31. The NY Fights report on the undercard reveal said “there is no official confirmation that a backup venue is under consideration,” only “a steady undercurrent of comments from concerned observers in boxing that the card needs to be moved.”
Promoters are under pressure from ticket holders with flights and hotels already booked. The US, Canadian and Mexican governments all advise against non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia, citing missile and drone threats and the risk of falling debris from interceptions.
Tickets remain on sale through the WeBook portal with prices advertised at under $100.
Read also: Weird scenario in Manchester City: History making vs shadowed verdict
Read also: “This is not Mbappé FC” – Real Madrid star comes under fire amid growing tensions
