Canelo vs. Mbilli is still on for Oct. 31 in Riyadh despite Houthi attacks, but Delgado's IBF title fight with Biyarslanov will 'probably not' happen, per Dan Rafael's source.
From 3 reports by 3 outletsLatest Riyadh airport reopens after two weeks; another missile reportedly fired at it 2 updates 3 outlets
What we know
- Mbilli is set to defend the WBC super middleweight title against Canelo Alvarez on Oct. 31 in Riyadh.
- Riyadh's King Khalid airport reopened on Oct. 25 after more than two weeks of closure following an attack.
Reported, not confirmed
- Delgado, trainer Robert Garcia and the team have no travel booked for the vacant IBF 140-pound title fight against Arthur Biyarslanov, who is already in Riyadh; a source told Dan Rafael the fight will 'probably not' happen. Boxing News
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The New York Times reported at least one more ballistic missile was fired toward the airport the morning it reopened, and a Houthi spokesman called it a military target.
Bad Left Hook
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The US State Department ordered all non-emergency personnel to leave Saudi Arabia.
Bad Left Hook
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Mbilli's promoter Camille Estephan says Mbilli will travel to Riyadh as planned and that the fight will happen.
CroRing
Disputed
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The airport attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, according to Bad Left Hook and CroRing; Boxing News reported one death and 11 injured.
Bad Left Hook
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'. Boxing News says Garcia has been vocal about his concerns over the event. The promotion has not commented, and no replacement opponent has been named.
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 is unbeaten and fought on the same show, drawing with Lester Martinez in a fight many thought neither man deserved to lose. Both are returning from 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 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 the fighters can safely get into and out of the airport. Bad Left Hook advises fans thinking of buying the pay-per-view to wait.
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'. Boxing News says Garcia has been vocal about his concerns over the event. The promotion has not commented, and no replacement opponent has been named.
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 is unbeaten and fought on the same show, drawing with Lester Martinez in a fight many thought neither man deserved to lose. Both are returning from 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 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 the fighters can safely get into and out of the airport. Bad Left Hook advises fans thinking of buying the pay-per-view to wait.
- Summary
- Canelo vs. Mbilli is still on for Oct. 31 in Riyadh despite Houthi attacks, but Delgado's IBF title fight with Biyarslanov will 'probably not' happen, per Dan Rafael's source.
- Key points (one per line)
- Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title is still scheduled for Oct. 31 in Riyadh.
Lindolfo Delgado's team has no travel booked for the vacant IBF 140-pound fight with Arthur Biyarslanov.
Riyadh's airport reopened Oct. 25 after more than two weeks, and another missile was reportedly fired at it.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- CroRing | https://croring.com/boks/mbilli-spreman-za-meksickog-velikana-stizemo-u-rijad-i-detronizirat-cemo-canela/
Boxing News | https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/canelo-mbilli-undercard-travel-doubt/
Bad Left Hook | https://www.badlefthook.com/boxing-schedule/119946/how-to-watch-canelo-alvarez-christian-mbilli-rafael-espinoza-jaime-munguia-streaming-tv-schedule-boxing-news-2026
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How the story developed
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Riyadh airport reopens after two weeks; another missile reportedly fired at itBad Left Hook
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Delgado's team has no travel booked for IBF title fight, fight 'probably not' happening Boxing News
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