Canelo vs. Mbilli still on in Riyadh as Delgado's IBF title fight is in doubt

The biggest fight of Canelo Alvarez's comeback now depends on whether a city under missile fire can host it. Riyadh has seen near daily attacks by Houthis based in Yemen, and the first sign of damage to the card has already appeared.

According to Dan Rafael's source, Lindolfo Delgado, trainer Robert Garcia and the team are still in the US with no travel booked for the vacant IBF super lightweight title fight against Arthur Biyarslanov. Biyarslanov is already in Riyadh. Asked whether the fight will happen, Rafael was told 'probably not'. That is not an official cancellation or withdrawal. Boxing News says Garcia has been vocal about his concerns over the event, and no replacement opponent has been named. Delgado, 31, is listed by Top Rank at 24-0, and this was to be his first title shot.

The main event itself is holding. Mbilli's promoter Camille Estephan told CroRing that Mbilli will travel to Riyadh as planned and that he is sure the fight will go ahead. Canelo has said he does not want to pull out. Canelo is 36 and has been out since losing a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in September of last year. Mbilli, listed by CroRing at 29 wins and a draw, was on the same show and drew with Lester Martinez in a fight many thought neither man deserved to lose. Both men return after layoffs of more than a year.

The risk is real. The airport was shut for over two weeks after an attack that killed 13 people and injured more than 300, according to Bad Left Hook and CroRing. Boxing News gives lower casualty figures, but the later and more detailed accounts put the toll at 13 dead. The New York Times reported that at least one more ballistic missile was sent toward the airport the morning it reopened, and that a Houthi spokesman called it a military target. The US State Department has ordered non-emergency personnel to leave Saudi Arabia.

The money is lopsided. CroRing reports Mbilli is guaranteed about $8.9 million, the biggest payday of his career, with Canelo's earnings expected to be roughly ten times higher.

The rest of the card includes Jaime Munguia vs. Nikita Zon and Rafael Espinoza defending his WBO featherweight title against Ricardo Blandon. Watch for confirmation on Delgado's travel, a replacement for Biyarslanov, and whether fighters can safely get into and out of the airport. Bad Left Hook advises fans thinking of buying the pay-per-view to wait.