The highly anticipated WBC super middleweight title clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Christian Mbilli remains locked in for Saturday in Riyadh, but the event’s prestige has taken a significant hit with the likely cancellation of its IBF super lightweight co-feature. Lindolfo Delgado and Artur Biyarslanov were slated to headline the DAZN pay-per-view undercard, yet the bout is now expected to be pulled entirely. While Biyarslanov arrived in Saudi Arabia alongside Mbilli earlier this week, Delgado has not made the journey, signaling a definitive refusal to participate under the current geopolitical climate.
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The cancellation stems from persistent safety concerns voiced by Delgado’s camp, led by trainer Robert Garcia, who previously warned against the event’s risks. Garcia reiterated over the weekend, while working the corner for Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez, that his team had received no logistical support or clear information regarding travel to the kingdom. These apprehensions are grounded in the escalating regional instability, with the militant group Ansar Allah (Houthis) continuing to launch attacks in the area. Consequently, the U.S. government has issued a strict advisory against all non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia and ordered non-emergency government employees to evacuate the country, creating a hostile environment for international athletes.
This development underscores the growing friction between global boxing’s expansion into the Middle East and the realities of regional security. While the Alvarez-Mbilli main event proceeds, the loss of a world title fight diminishes the overall value of the pay-per-view product for fans and stakeholders. The situation highlights the vulnerability of major sporting events to geopolitical shifts, forcing promoters and athletes to weigh competitive opportunities against personal safety. As the region remains tense, the absence of Delgado serves as a stark reminder that the logistical and security challenges of hosting world-class combat sports in volatile areas are far from resolved.
Source: Yahoo Sports
