Turki Alalshikh: Canelo will fight in Riyadh despite attacks – 'He fears nothing'
After fresh attacks on Riyadh, Turki Alalshikh says Canelo Alvarez is determined to face Christian Mbilli there on 31 October. The stance has drawn criticism within boxing.
Archive image · Photo: Presidencia de la República Mexicana / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez intends to fight in Riyadh despite the tense security situation. "Canelo reached out and told me he'll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens," Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and the event's organiser, posted on X on Sunday night, according to The National. "He fears nothing." The National also cited The Athletic as reporting that Alvarez wants to proceed and that DAZN is advancing plans to broadcast from Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, one person was killed and 11 injured in another attack on King Khalid International Airport, according to Saudi authorities. Boxing News reported that a US Mission security alert on 5 October had sparked rumours of a move to Las Vegas in November; the promotion had not commented. The Saudi Pro League postponed Sunday's Abha vs Al Faisaly match.
Journalist Jake Donovan sharply criticised Alalshikh's message on X, calling it "a complete disregard for human life", Boxing 24/7 reported. Alvarez (63-3-2), 36, has not fought since his decision defeat to Terence Crawford in September 2025; against WBC champion Mbilli he is fighting for the super-middleweight title.