Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will fight Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on October 31 as planned, according to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The WBC super middleweight title bout at Kingdom Arena had been in question after several days of deadly strikes on the Saudi capital. Alalshikh said on X on Sunday night that the Mexican had contacted him to confirm he still wanted to box.
The security concerns are serious. Saudi authorities said an attack on King Khalid International Airport on Sunday killed one person and injured 11. The previous day, a strike claimed by the Houthis killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Alalshikh, one of the most influential figures in world boxing, said Alvarez “fears nothing” and thanked those who had offered support. According to his post, the boxer had told him he would fight in the Saudi capital this month whatever happened.
Alvarez, 36, holds a record of 63 wins, three defeats and two draws. He has not fought since losing to Terence Crawford in September 2025, a contest broadcast on Netflix, and is now trying to regain a version of the 168lb world title. The Riyadh card is being billed as Mexico against the rest of the world. The Athletic reported that Alvarez was keen to proceed and that broadcaster DAZN was pressing ahead with plans to cover the event on site.
Other Saudi sport has been affected. The Saudi Pro League postponed Sunday’s match between Abha and Al Faisaly, saying the decision followed a review of the circumstances and was taken under approved regulatory procedures. Abha lies about 900km south-west of Riyadh and around 200km from the Yemen border. It was also unclear at the time whether Al Nassr’s Asian Champions League tie against Neftchi Fergana on Monday would be played.
The kingdom has already lost major events this year, including the Formula One Grand Prix in April and the World Rally Championship round due next month. With fewer than three weeks to go, organisers are planning for the Alvarez card to go ahead on schedule at Kingdom Arena. If it does, the Mexican will return to the ring 13 months after his defeat by Crawford, with a world title at stake against Mbilli. Any further change to the security situation in the capital is likely to be watched closely by broadcasters, promoters and both fighters’ camps.
