Canelo and Mbilli make weight in Riyadh after reported missile interceptions

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Christian Mbilli both made weight in Riyadh ahead of their WBC super-middleweight title fight, with preparations continuing amid security concerns in Saudi Arabia. BBC Sport reported that the weigh-in took place 24 hours after two ballistic missiles were intercepted over the capital. Both boxers weighed 12st, or 76kg, and then faced each other on stage.

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According to the BBC report, Saudi Press Agency said the missiles were intercepted on Thursday. Falling shrapnel caused a minor injury to a civilian and damaged a house and a vehicle. The report also said a missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport earlier in October had killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, while restricted airport access had complicated travel arrangements for those attending the fight.

Other sporting events in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled, the BBC reported, including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, the final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship and the 2026 Urban Cycling World Championships. The boxing event's preparations nevertheless continued, with Friday's weigh-in opening with a Mariachi performance for a card promoted around Mexican fighters facing international opponents.

Mbilli, 31, was elevated to WBC super-middleweight champion in January and is scheduled to make his first defence against Alvarez on Saturday. Born in Cameroon and based in Canada for training, Mbilli has an unbeaten professional record across 30 fights, comprising 29 wins and one draw. He has recorded 24 stoppage victories. At the weigh-in, he expressed confidence in his conditioning and technique.

Alvarez, 36, is returning for the first time since his defeat by Terence Crawford in September 2025. The four-weight world champion made his professional debut on 29 October 2005 and is preparing for his 69th professional appearance. According to BBC Sport, this will be his first bout without holding a world title since 2015. He stressed the importance of becoming a champion again and pointed to his experience.

The card also includes Jaime Munguia's WBA super-middleweight title defence against Nikita Zon and Rafael Espinoza's WBO featherweight defence against Ricardo Blandon. One planned title contest has lost a participant: Lindolfo Delgado withdrew earlier in the week from his scheduled meeting with Artur Biyarslanov for the vacant IBF light-welterweight belt.