Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has launched a furious and sweeping attack against both Canelo Alvarez and Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, accusing them of putting lives at serious risk by pushing forward with an upcoming fight card in Riyadh. Despite mounting security concerns, international travel advisories, and recent deadly attacks on regional infrastructure, plans remain in place for Canelo Alvarez to face Christian Mbilli in the Saudi capital on October 31.
The Golden Boy Promotions founder took aim at the decision during a recent installment of his digital video segment, Clap Back, questioning how event organizers and athletes can justify proceeding with the high-profile card in the wake of violence that has rattled the region. De La Hoya pointed specifically to reports of recent strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an incident that has drawn intense global scrutiny and led to the temporary closure of major aviation facilities.
According to reports circulating across international news outlets, multiple strikes earlier in the week resulted in 13 fatalities and more than 300 injuries, prompting widespread security alerts. Despite these developments, Alalshikh has publicly maintained that Canelo remains fully committed to the October 31 event, asserting that the Mexican boxing superstar harbors no fear regarding the security situation in the Saudi capital.
This insistence has drawn a sharp rebuke from De La Hoya, who argued that while elite athletes may enjoy elevated security measures and private transport, the hundreds of event staff, media personnel, cornermen, and fans face entirely different circumstances.
De La Hoya Questions Canelo’s Motives and Safety Priorities
During his remarks, De La Hoya expressed profound disbelief that the boxing icon has not stepped forward to cancel or postpone the bout given the severity of the geopolitical and physical threats on the ground.
“Canelo might not have any fear because he’s flying into a private airport. But what about everyone else associated with the event? They’re scared sh**less,” De La Hoya stated during his broadcast. “How was this event not cancelled? It’s a f***ing enormous safety concern.”
Reflecting on his own legendary career as a six-division world champion, the promoter insisted that he would never have considered traveling into a conflict zone or an active security hotspot under similar circumstances. He went on to accuse his former fighter of prioritizing financial gain over the basic well-being of the personnel required to mount a major international sports production.
“Look, as a fighter, I’ll be honest with you. There is no way in hell I would be going over there with this s*** going on,” De La Hoya continued. “I’m extremely surprised Canelo hasn’t put out a statement cancelling this. He’s okay putting people’s lives at risk for this money grab?”
While public pressure mounts, Canelo has not issued any direct statements announcing a departure from the scheduled October 31 date, with updates regarding his training camp and participation continuing to be channeled primarily through promotional announcements and statements from Alalshikh.
The controversy follows formal security warnings issued by the Mexican government, which advised its citizens to exercise extreme caution and avoid the perimeters of international airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam following the attacks. World Boxing News previously highlighted the Mexican embassy’s advisory on October 12, drawing attention to the escalating anxieties felt by international delegations, boxing teams, and traveling supporters.
Oscar Attacks Saudi Organizers and Media Influence
Beyond the specific bout between Canelo and Mbilli, De La Hoya questioned why the sport of boxing appears uniquely determined to push forward with Riyadh-based spectacles while other major international sports organizations have taken a step back to reassess safety. Pointing to broader shifts in the local events calendar, the promoter noted that regional authorities had already chosen to relocate a major international tennis event that had been scheduled to take place in the city around the same timeframe.
The conflict surrounding the upcoming boxing card runs parallel to discussions and scrutiny facing other high-profile entertainment properties in the region, including the pressure surrounding the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event. Both properties have found themselves navigating a complex landscape of public relations, security assessments, and logistical challenges.
Shifting his focus directly to the leadership of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, De La Hoya levied accusations regarding editorial influence within the specialized sports media landscape, contrasting specialized boxing journalism with mainstream global news reporting.
“Turki and Salah, you bought off most of the media in boxing, but you can’t do it with the global news. They’ll tell you the truth about what’s happening over there,” De La Hoya asserted.
De La Hoya Revives Legal Feud
The fiery exchange also served to revive an ongoing public feud between the promoter and the prominent Saudi organizer. De La Hoya referenced a previous legal warning he received in the form of a cease-and-desist letter following earlier verbal clashes, suggesting that the current wave of international reporting renders any attempts to suppress commentary futile.
“And remember when you sent me that weak-*** cease and desist over clap-back? At this point, you’ll have to send one to the BBC, to the AP, Wire, CNN, and the rest of the world out there to spin your narrative,” De La Hoya said.
The escalating war of words represents yet another chapter in the strained relationship between the boxing promoter and the kingdom’s chief sports investor. However, unlike previous disputes centered around promotional control, fighter compensation, or matchmaking philosophies, the current standoff hinges entirely on the immediate physical safety of participants and attendees.
Independent outlets, including World Boxing News, have previously called for organizers to relocate the high-stakes fight out of Riyadh in light of the deteriorating security metrics and airport disruptions reported earlier in the month.
With the October 31 fight night fast approaching, Alalshikh’s position remains firm, with organizers pushing ahead to deliver one of the autumn’s most anticipated boxing matchups. Yet, as De La Hoya’s warnings highlight, the buildup to the event is now heavily overshadowed by questions of liability, security protocol, and the true human cost of staging massive entertainment spectacles in volatile environments.
