Turki Alalshikh says Canelo Alvarez will still fight Christian Mbilli in Riyadh this month, days after a missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport. "Canelo reached out and told me he'll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens. He fears nothing," Alalshikh said, as quoted by Sports Illustrated and Boxing Insider.
Boxing Insider reported that the fight is set for October 31 at The Venue in Riyadh, with the WBC super middleweight championship at stake, on DAZN pay-per-view. It is the final bout of Canelo's four-fight agreement with Riyadh Season. The card was originally scheduled for September 12 and was moved to October 31 because of family matters.
The strike hit the airport on October 10, according to Wrestling Inc, which described it as the deadliest attack in any Gulf Arab country since the Iran war. Wrestling Inc reported that all airport operations were suspended afterward and that the U.S. Embassy strongly recommended American citizens avoid the airport and surrounding areas. Sports Illustrated reported that the United States issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Saudi Arabia on October 10.
The situation also touches WWE, which has Crown Jewel scheduled for Saturday, November 7, in Riyadh. WWE has said only that it is monitoring the situation. Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer reported that WWE is considering a backup city in the United States. He did not name a city or say a decision had been made. Wrestling Inc reported that WWE has contingency plans in place for Crown Jewel but that the possible backup locations were not disclosed, and that WWE did not advertise the event during the Money in the Bank broadcast.
Alalshikh's comments address the boxing card only. WWE has not announced any change to the date or location of Crown Jewel, and Crown Jewel remains listed for November 7 in Riyadh.
