Mexican boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and his team are analyzing the possibility of changing the venue for his fight against Christian Mbilli to Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was initially scheduled for October 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The alternative arises amid increasing tension in the Middle East, following a series of drone attacks that have affected strategic infrastructure and airport operations in Saudi territory. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of participants and the logistics of the event, leading to the consideration of a move to the United States, according to information published by El Imparcial.

Among the events supporting these concerns are the order issued by the U.S. government on October 21 for the withdrawal of non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families from the country, as well as the deaths of at least two people from the debris of an intercepted drone near the Shaybah oil field. Furthermore, the attacks have impacted operations at King Khalid International Airport, located in Riyadh. In this context, Álvarez requested the renewal of his boxing license in Nevada for 2026 on October 21 from the state Athletic Commission, a process that still requires the completion of some medical exams. Although this action does not confirm a venue change, it is a relevant factor given the possibility of organizing the event in Las Vegas.

If the move materializes, the fight could be rescheduled for the first half of December, a period that would allow for the reorganization of promotion and ticket sales. The bout against Mbilli represents an opportunity for Álvarez to compete for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight world championship in the 168-pound category. However, as of October 22, no official modification of the venue or date had been announced, so Riyadh remained the planned location for the October 31 event. The decision will depend on negotiations between the fighter and the organizers, amidst uncertainty regarding security conditions in the region.