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

The main event is going ahead on paper, but the undercard is already cracking. Dan Rafael reported that Lindolfo Delgado, trainer Robert Garcia and the team remain in the US with no travel booked for his vacant IBF 140-pound title fight with Arthur Biyarslanov, who is already in Riyadh. Asked whether the fight would happen, Rafael's source said "probably not." The promotion has not commented, and World Boxing News has gone further, saying Delgado has withdrawn.

The cause is the security situation. Saudi Civil Defense issued shelter alerts for Riyadh and other cities on Oct. 25, followed by an all-clear. On Oct. 26 the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh. The Houthis claimed another attack on King Khalid International Airport and oil pumping stations, which Saudi authorities had not confirmed when Reuters reported it. The airport only reopened on Oct. 25 after more than two weeks of closure following an earlier attack.

Riyadh Season chief Turki Alalshikh welcomed Canelo Alvarez and Oleksandr Usyk to the city while sharing the Civil Defense warning, writing: "May God protect Riyadh and all who are in it." Preparations continue. Canelo has said he does not want to pull out, and Mbilli's promoter Camille Estephan said Mbilli will travel as planned. Some fans online have called for a move or postponement, and World Boxing News reports that Oscar De La Hoya has criticized Alalshikh over Canelo's safety.

The fight itself carries real stakes. Mbilli, 29-0-1 according to CroRing, defends the WBC belt in his first fight since a split draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Terence Crawford card. Canelo, 36, is also back for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Crawford that night, and has not stopped an opponent since Caleb Plant in 2021.

Delgado, 24-0 according to Top Rank, was meant to fight for a belt vacated by Richardson Hitchins. If he is out, it is unclear whether Biyarslanov gets a replacement opponent. Watch for an official statement on the undercard and for any change to the Oct. 31 date.