BoxRec

This is going to be a tough night for Canelo. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:42 This is going to be a tough night for Canelo. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses.

Coming off a loss and a surgery you can never be too sure how someone is gonna look. I do definitely expect a hard nights work for him if nothing else. I think we're done seeing Canelo get KO victories unless he goes for straight up journeymen as opponents at this point.

That's often the way it goes for big name fighters. Before they start losing fights they wouldn't have lost before, they'll first start not getting the KO against guys they previously would've been able to finish. Canelo hasn't been able to get guys outta there for quite a while now so the other shoe is gonna fall soon.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:36

Hope that's not the case, but it wouldn't be a surprising nor unexpected outcome.

Canelo reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens. He fears nothing.

My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history, and kind-hearted people.

Thank you to everyone who checked in and showed support.

Hard times reveal true friends.

Anyone from here ever been to a Saudi card?

Would you still go given the situation?

Will travel insurance cover people going to Saudi for this?


I guess Saudi need this more than ever right now, but in a traditional promoting situation you would 1000% move this.

Canelo Alvarez still willing to fight in Riyadh, Alalshikh says

Despite escalating violence in the region, Canelo Alvarez is still willing to fight in Saudi Arabia at the end of this month, according to Saudi government official and boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh.

Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) is scheduled to challenge Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) for the WBC super middleweight championship in Riyadh on Oct. 31. On Saturday, Yemen's Houthi rebels launched an attack on the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that reportedly killed 12 and injured more than 300.

"Canelo reached out and told me he'll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens," Alalshikh wrote in a social media post Sunday. "He fears nothing. My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history and kind-hearted people. Thank you to everyone who checked in and showed support. Hard times reveal true friends."

According to a Saudi-led coalition, another projectile struck a passenger terminal at the Riyadh airport Sunday, causing further undisclosed injuries. The U.S. government has issued an ongoing security alert that "strongly recommends all U.S. citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas."

Alvarez, 36, is set to make his first appearance since he suffered a decision loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025. Alvarez has fought in Riyadh once, in May 2025.

Canelo admits need for 'lot of stamina' to beat Mbilli

Canelo Alvarez realizes he must be firing on all cylinders, up against the high-motor offensive attack of Christian Mbilli on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) will attempt to become a three-time super middleweight champion later this month.
He will make his first appearance of the year facing WBC titleholder Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) to headline the "Mexico vs. The World" show.

DAZN will offer the Alvarez-Mbilli card to subscribers of its Ultimate plan and on pay-per-view.

"I feel like I'm 26, but with more experience, I feel great," Alvarez said on The Pat McAfee Show. "I've been training very hard for this fight because Mbilli is that kind of fighter; he comes forward, throws a lot of punches, and is strong. I'm going to need a lot of stamina for this fight, and to be prepared for whatever he brings.

"It's been a long boxing career. But I've been fighting world champions since I was 20. We know how to prepare. We know how to train to get ready for these kinds of fights, and when you know your body, you know your body … Boxing is my life. I always try to be in shape and train. Eat healthy, rest, and train. That's what it's all about."

To prepare for the occasion, Alvarez has switched camp locales and is training with career-long coach Eddy Reynoso in Spain, periodically alongside The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

"The technology is great, we adapt ourselves to that, feel great and are almost ready to get to 100 percent," Alvarez said. "Every week is better. So we test my body, and my body is 100 percent — my muscles, brain, my conditioning, everything to put it into good training."

At 36, Alvarez is entering the final act of his illustrious career. The Mexican superstar and former four-division champion last fought 13 months ago and lost a unanimous decision against Terence Crawford.

On the event's undercard, Mbilli fought in a barnburner and was held to a 10-round majority draw against Lester Martinez.
Should Alvarez outlast Mbilli, a new set of hungry fighters will be jockeying for position to test themselves against boxing's cash cow.

WBC interim titleholder Martinez, IBF titlist Osleys Iglesias, recent WBO ruler Hamzah Sheeraz and former unified middleweight beltholder Janibek Alimkhanuly are among those no doubt monitoring the situation.

"I just try to fight the champions," Alvarez said. "That's what it's been all about in my career, and make the best fights out there — that's it. I like challenges, that's why I have so many big fights.

"I love boxing, and the butterflies are still there; it's something I cannot explain."

Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli to go ahead 'no matter what happens', says Turki Alalshikh

Canelo Alvarez will fight Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31 “no matter what happens”, according to Turki Alalshikh.

There has been increasing speculation that the WBC super-middleweight title clash could be cancelled amid escalating violence in the Middle East.

On Sunday, a day after a missile attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, a projectile struck a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The attacks have raised fears that more countries could be drawn into the conflict in Yemen, further widening the fallout from the US-Iran war.

Many within boxing have expressed concerns about staging the fight under such circumstances.

Canelo, however, is apparently not among them.

“Canelo reached out and told me he'll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens,” Alalshikh said on social media.

“He fears nothing. My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history and kind-hearted people.

“Thank you to everyone who checked in and showed support. Hard times reveal true friends.”

Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), has not fought since losing all four super-middleweight titles to Terence Crawford 13 months ago.

Mbilli, 29-0-1 (24 KOs), has also been inactive since September 2025, when he drew with Lester Martinez on the Crawford-Alvarez undercard. He was subsequently elevated to WBC champion after Crawford relinquished the title in December.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:49

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:42 This is going to be a tough night for Canelo. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses.

Coming off a loss and a surgery you can never be too sure how someone is gonna look. I do definitely expect a hard nights work for him if nothing else. I think we're done seeing Canelo get KO victories unless he goes for straight up journeymen as opponents at this point.

That's often the way it goes for big name fighters. Before they start losing fights they wouldn't have lost before, they'll first start not getting the KO against guys they previously would've been able to finish. Canelo hasn't been able to get guys outta there for quite a while now so the other shoe is gonna fall soon.

I personally think this might be similar to the GGG 1st first stylistically.

Mbilli will be coming forward, throwing most shots while Canelo makes him miss & returns counters.

Mbilli isn't Golovkin though but Canelo ain't Canelo anymore.

But I think it will be a close fight with someone crying ROBBERY either way.

Taansend wrote: ↑Yesterday, 22:41

gilgamesh wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:49

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:42 This is going to be a tough night for Canelo. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses.

Coming off a loss and a surgery you can never be too sure how someone is gonna look. I do definitely expect a hard nights work for him if nothing else. I think we're done seeing Canelo get KO victories unless he goes for straight up journeymen as opponents at this point.

That's often the way it goes for big name fighters. Before they start losing fights they wouldn't have lost before, they'll first start not getting the KO against guys they previously would've been able to finish. Canelo hasn't been able to get guys outta there for quite a while now so the other shoe is gonna fall soon.

I personally think this might be similar to the GGG 1st first stylistically.

Mbilli will be coming forward, throwing most shots while Canelo makes him miss & returns counters.

Mbilli isn't Golovkin though but Canelo ain't Canelo anymore.

But I think it will be a close fight with someone crying ROBBERY either way.

It can't be close for Mbili to win it.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑Yesterday, 22:51 It can't be close for Mbili to win it.

Almost certainly true.

I am hoping to watch Canelo's last fight at the Azteca in Mexico City so maybe a loss is better for me as tickets might be cheaper.

You can meet me there if you want

Taansend wrote: ↑Yesterday, 23:04

gilgamesh wrote: ↑Yesterday, 22:51 It can't be close for Mbili to win it.

Almost certainly true.

I am hoping to watch Canelo's last fight at the Azteca in Mexico City so maybe a loss is better for me as tickets might be cheaper.

You can meet me there if you want

Been wanting to go to Mexico. Not sure if Canelo would be the reason, but it might be.

Taansend wrote: ↑Yesterday, 22:41

gilgamesh wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:49

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 07:42 This is going to be a tough night for Canelo. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses.

Coming off a loss and a surgery you can never be too sure how someone is gonna look. I do definitely expect a hard nights work for him if nothing else. I think we're done seeing Canelo get KO victories unless he goes for straight up journeymen as opponents at this point.

That's often the way it goes for big name fighters. Before they start losing fights they wouldn't have lost before, they'll first start not getting the KO against guys they previously would've been able to finish. Canelo hasn't been able to get guys outta there for quite a while now so the other shoe is gonna fall soon.

I personally think this might be similar to the GGG 1st first stylistically.

Mbilli will be coming forward, throwing most shots while Canelo makes him miss & returns counters.

Mbilli isn't Golovkin though but Canelo ain't Canelo anymore.

But I think it will be a close fight with someone crying ROBBERY either way.

That's a good comparison. However, in my opinion, GGG clearly won the first fight but was denied the victory by the unseemly side of boxing. I hope the judging is above board and doesn't result in a controversial decision, regardless of who gets their hand raised.

Mbilli has a big engine and will come forward throwing all kinds of punches. If he can do that for all 12 rounds, he will give Alvarez a lot of problems. I don't think Alvarez can sustain that kind of pace for the duration of the bout, so he will have to be effective with his counters - especially early - to discourage Mbilli from just walking in with his hands firing.