Canelo and Mbilli make weight in Riyadh after intercepted missiles
Christian Mbilli and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez made weight in Riyadh on Friday for their world title fight scheduled for Saturday, with both men tipping the scales at 12st (76kg). The weigh-in took place roughly 24 hours after two ballistic missiles were intercepted over the Saudi capital.
Mbilli, 31, was elevated to WBC super-middleweight champion in January and will make his first defence against Mexico's Alvarez, 36, on Saturday. Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez has won 63 of his 68 professional bouts, claiming 39 victories by stoppage, and will enter the ring for the 69th time on Saturday; he made his professional debut almost exactly 21 years ago on 29 October 2005. Alvarez said: "This is very important for me, I've been doing this for 21 years and won my first world title 16 years ago. It's important for me to win a title again," adding, "My experience is different, he hasn't faced anyone like me and I'll teach him tomorrow."
Security concerns have been raised in recent weeks amid the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement, and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Press Agency reported the Civil Defence had intercepted two ballistic missiles over Riyadh, and authorities said a civilian sustained a minor injury and there was damage to a house and vehicle from falling shrapnel. Earlier in October a missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Organisers said travel arrangements for those attending Saturday's bout have been complicated by restricted access to the airport. Several other sporting events in Saudi Arabia — The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, the final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship and the 2026 Urban Cycling World Championships — have been cancelled, while the scheduled combat sports card has remained on.
Friday's weigh-in began with a performance from a Mariachi band and the card was billed as Mexico v the world; the fighters engaged in a tense but respectful face-off after weighing in. Alvarez is fighting for the first time since losing to Terence Crawford in September 2025 and Saturday will be the first occasion he has entered a bout without a world title since 2015.
Cameroon-born Mbilli, who trains in Canada, is unbeaten in 30 professional fights, recording 29 wins and one draw, with 24 victories by stoppage. Mbilli said: "Tomorrow night I will beat him in every way. I have the best condition and technique," adding, "A win would change my life a lot. It will be a fight of the year."
On the same Riyadh card Jaime Munguia is due to defend the WBA super-middleweight title against Nikita Zon, and Rafael Espinoza is scheduled to put his WBO featherweight belt on the line against Ricardo Blandon; Lindolfo Delgado withdrew from his bout against Russian-Canadian Artur Biyarslanov for the vacant IBF light-welterweight title earlier this week.
The WBC super-middleweight title fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is scheduled to take place in Riyadh on Saturday.