Brief

Canelo Álvarez vows to fight in Riyadh despite recent Houthi attacks

The Mexican champion confirmed his commitment to the Oct. 31 WBC super‑middleweight title bout in Riyadh, even as Houthi missiles strike the city’s airport.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 03:40:38 GMT

Canelo Álvarez intends to travel to Riyadh for his WBC super‑middleweight title fight on 31 October, despite a series of deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, according to Saudi sports patron Turki al‑Sheikh.

What happened

Álvarez is scheduled to face unbeaten Christian Mbilli for the world title in the Saudi capital. The bout comes three weeks after a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. A second projectile hit the same terminal on Sunday, causing additional injuries, though Saudi authorities have not released a figure.

What the reports add

The Guardian notes that the Saudi‑led coalition fighting the Iran‑backed Houthi rebels confirmed the second strike, while Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed responsibility for both the airport attacks and a broader campaign against Saudi airspace. The article also mentions that India’s embassy reported a citizen’s death, potentially raising the airport death toll to 13, and that the US government has warned its citizens to avoid the airport.

What was said

Al‑Sheikh wrote on social media that Álvarez “reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens,” adding that the boxer “fears nothing.” He praised Saudi Arabia as “home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history and kind‑hearted people.”

How it came about

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in high‑profile boxing events, with Al‑Sheikh’s General Entertainment Authority staging several major bouts in Riyadh. The recent airport attacks have raised concerns about the safety of such events, as airlines suspend flights to the kingdom and the country faces scrutiny over its human‑rights record and accusations of sports‑washing. The fight is set against a backdrop of an international energy conference and other business gatherings in Riyadh this week.

Key facts

Canelo Álvarez will fight Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on 31 October for the WBC super‑middleweight title. (theguardian.com)
A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport on 10 October killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. (theguardian.com)
Turki al‑Sheikh said Álvarez told him he will fight in Riyadh regardless of the security situation. (theguardian.com)
Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the airport attacks, including a second projectile on Sunday. (theguardian.com)
The US government warned American citizens to avoid the airport after the attacks. (theguardian.com)