Promoter and former boxing star Oscar De La Hoya has publicly called for the immediate cancellation or relocation of Canelo Alvarez’s upcoming WBC super-middleweight title challenge against Christian Mbilli. The high-profile bout is currently scheduled to take place on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but De La Hoya has cited severe safety concerns over staging such a massive sporting event in the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and recent regional unrest.
Despite the escalating instability and security worries in the Middle East, tournament and event organisers have insisted that Alvarez firmly intends to proceed with his much-anticipated comeback clash against the reigning champion. The stance from the camp suggests that preparations are moving forward unabated, putting the fight card on a collision course with growing international anxiety regarding travel and large-scale public gatherings in the Saudi capital.
Never one to shy away from offering a blunt assessment of the boxing industry’s inner workings, De La Hoya took to social media to challenge the wisdom of pressing on with the event under current conditions. In a series of pointed remarks, the Golden Boy Promotions boss specifically targeted the narrative surrounding Alvarez’s alleged fearlessness, while highlighting the stark contrast between how star athletes and the wider workforce travel to and experience these international destinations.
[Turki Alalshikh] says Canelo has no fear, De La Hoya remarked in his social media post. Well, 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 s***less.
The seasoned promoter pointed directly to recent precedent set by other international sports organizations operating within the region. By highlighting the postponement of other prominent sporting fixtures in the Saudi capital, De La Hoya argued that boxing’s governing bodies and event promoters should follow suit, prioritizing human safety above promotional obligations and broadcast schedules.
Look, Riyadh already moved the tennis event that was scheduled for next week, De La Hoya said, emphasizing the practical adjustments being made by other athletic disciplines facing the same operational landscape. So, do the right thing and move this event.
De La Hoya expressed profound disbelief that the fight card remains completely intact, admitting quite frankly that he would outright refuse to make the journey himself under the current circumstances. His comments laid bare the anxieties shared by many behind-the-scenes personnel, trainers, media members, and broadcast crews who do not enjoy the luxury of private aviation security or high-level diplomatic entourages.
How is this event not cancelled? It’s a fing enormous safety concern, De La Hoya added, doubling down on his frustration. Look, as a fighter, I’ll be honest with you – there is no way in hell I’d be going over there with this st going on. How is this event not cancelled? It’s a f*king enormous safety concern.
The controversy surrounding the Riyadh fight card comes at a time of heightened regional volatility. As of writing, the event remains officially scheduled on the boxing calendar. However, following the latest reported attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport by Yemen’s Houthi forces, public and industry pressure is mounting. Calls from various figures within the sports community for the event to be relocated or postponed are growing louder by the day, as stakeholders weigh the commercial magnitude of a Canelo Alvarez fight against the unpredictable realities of regional security.
