Mexican boxing star Canelo Alvarez is challenging Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight belt on DAZN PPV in Riyadh with ring walks set for 8.30pm GMT. The bout is proceeding despite safety concerns and uncertainty as the city faces missile attacks and hostile aerial threat warnings amid the ongoing war with Iran.

Alvarez is earning $50million (£37m) for his 69th professional fight. He would forfeit the money if he withdrew, while Saudi organisers would still have to pay the guarantee if they cancelled the event. Alvarez dismissed safety fears, stating he feels safe in Riyadh.

Moving the match to Las Vegas was ruled out because Saudi's General Entertainment Authority is funding the event through Riyadh Season. Only select broadcasting staff and security personnel travelled by flying to Bahrain and driving into Riyadh, while commentary will be handled remotely from London.

Other events have faced disruption, as a tennis tournament was postponed to November, though a UFC event on December 5 and a WWE pay-per-view on November 7 remain scheduled. Super-lightweight Lindolfo Delgado refused to travel from America due to safety worries and passport visa issues.

Alvarez, 36, is returning after losing to Terence Crawford in September 2025. Matthew Hatton, whose brother Ricky Hatton fought Alvarez, believes the four-weight world champion is risking his reputation by facing the unbeaten Mbilli.

The Home of Boxing in 2026

There is a massive year of boxing ahead!

It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon!

All eyes are focused on the Battle of Britain between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with the pair set to finally settle their decade-long rivalry in December.

But before that, Canelo Alvarez returns against Christian Mbili on Halloween.

Here is all the big fights coming up...

BUY FURY VS JOSHUA TICKETS

October

  • Sat 31 - Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbili - DAZN

November

  • Sat 7 - Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson 2 - DAZN
  • Sat 7 - Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke - Sky Sports
  • Sat 28 - Agit Kabayel vs Nelson Hysa - DAZN

December

  • Fri 11 - Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua - Netflix
  • Sat 12 - Dmitry Bivol vs Callum Smith - DAZN
  • Sat 19 - Anthony Cacace vs Nick Ball - DAZN

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