Canelo willing to face Mbilli in Riyadh despite airport attacks, says Alalshikh

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez remains willing to face WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on October 31 despite the deadly attacks on King Khalid International Airport, according to Turki Alalshikh.

Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, said Alvarez contacted him personally amid speculation that the event could be relocated or cancelled.

“Canelo reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens,” Alalshikh wrote on social media. “He fears nothing.”

“My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history, and kind-hearted people,” he continued. “Thank you to everyone who checked in and showed support. Hard times reveal true friends.” Alalshikh later shared footage of one of the attacks and condemned those responsible.

King Khalid International Airport was targeted four times between October 7 and 11, leaving at least 18 people dead and hundreds injured, according to Saudi authorities. The deadliest attack occurred on Saturday, when a missile killed 13 people and injured 309. Another projectile struck a passenger terminal on Sunday, killing one person and injuring 11.

Saudi authorities have attributed the escalation to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have claimed missile and drone attacks on airports and energy infrastructure across the kingdom. The airport remained closed on Sunday, several international airlines suspended flights and the US government issued an alert that “strongly recommends all U.S. citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas”.

Alalshikh’s announcement dealt only with Alvarez’s willingness to fight. It did not address travel or contingency arrangements for fighters, officials, broadcasters, event staff and spectators, while no position from Mbilli or his representatives at Eye of the Tiger Management was included.

The bout at The Venue is scheduled to be Alvarez’s first appearance since his unanimous decision defeat by Terence Crawford in September 2025, when he lost the undisputed super-middleweight championship. Mbilli was elevated from interim to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement, giving Alvarez an immediate opportunity to regain one of his former belts after undergoing elbow surgery earlier this year.

Alvarez, 63-3-2 with 39 knockouts, has acknowledged that his focus deserted him during the final days before the Crawford fight. “When you lose, you always look back and look [at] your mistakes,” he said. “I did a very good preparation for [the] Crawford fight, but in the fight week, my mind wasn’t there.”

The Mexican has been preparing on Spain’s Mediterranean coast and adjusting his schedule to Saudi time after struggling to acclimatise when he previously boxed in Riyadh in May 2025. Alvarez has said he believes he requires 21 days to adjust fully.

Mbilli will enter the contest unbeaten in 29 fights, with 24 victories inside the distance.

The full ‘Mexico vs The World’ undercard was announced last Thursday, October 8, before the deadliest weekend attacks. Jaime Munguia is scheduled to defend his WBA super-middleweight title against Nikita Zon in the chief support, although mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev has said he did not agree to step aside. Rafael Espinoza is due to defend the WBO featherweight title against Lorenzo Parra, while Lindolfo Delgado and Artur Biyarslanov are set to contest the vacant IBF super-lightweight belt.

No change of venue or date has been announced, with Alvarez-Mbilli still scheduled for October 31 at The Venue in Riyadh.