Riyadh aerial threat warning issued ahead of Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli fight

Saudi Arabia issued a “hostile aerial threat” warning in Riyadh on Thursday, two days before Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Christian Mbilli are scheduled to meet for the WBC super middleweight title in the Saudi capital.

The alert read: “Warning. City of Riyadh is under a hostile aerial threat. Please remain calm, stay indoors or in a safe place away from windows and doors, and follow the instructions of Civil Defense.”

Within hours, however, a follow-up alert was issued lifting the warning.

The event, scheduled for Saturday at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, has raised significant security concerns in recent weeks. Nearly every major sporting event in the region has been canceled or postponed following Houthi missile and drone attacks. Earlier this month, 13 people were reportedly killed and more than 300 injured in an attack on Riyadh Airport.

One of the fighters on the undercard, Lindolfo Delgado, who was scheduled to face Arthur Biyarslanov for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title, decided not to travel to Riyadh this week due to safety concerns.

Nevertheless, nine fights remain scheduled to take place.

Thursday’s press conference went ahead as planned and, according to a source at the scene, there is little concern among locals regarding potential air strikes.