Sebastian Fundora Refuses to Fight in Saudi Arabia Amid Rising Safety Concerns Over Canelo Alvarez's Upcoming Bout
Missile strikes continue to target Riyadh, casting doubt over the safety of Canelo Alvarez's scheduled fight on October 31 against Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title. Despite the ongoing attacks, there remains debate about whether the event should be moved from Saudi Arabia.
Fundora Voices His Reluctance
WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora spoke out on The Ariel Helwani Show about his reasons for avoiding fights in Saudi Arabia. As an American with family ties to military service, he expressed discomfort with competing in a country under threat from missile attacks by the militant Houthis group, known as Ansar Allah.
"Yeah, there's a reason why I haven't fought in Saudi Arabia," Fundora said before defending his title against Ermal Hadribeaj. "I wouldn’t feel comfortable, me being American and everything like that. It’s bigger than boxing. It’s way bigger than boxing."
Fundora revealed he has turned down fight offers in Saudi Arabia, despite potentially larger paychecks, citing personal and political concerns. He also mentioned he would refuse a major bout against pound-for-pound star Jaron Boots Ennis if it were held there.
Boxing's Presence in Saudi Arabia Amid Conflict
Saudi Arabia emerged as a key venue for major boxing matches in 2023 and 2024, hosting high-profile fights such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk and Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. However, the current political instability and missile attacks have complicated the scene in 2026.
Recently, the kingdom postponed its annual Six Kings Slam tennis tournament from late October to the end of December due to logistical challenges caused by ongoing attacks on airports, oil fields, and pipelines.
Despite these disruptions, the Canelo Alvarez vs. Mbilli fight remains set for October 31. Industry sources speculate the Saudi government may be reluctant to cancel the bout because it could owe Alvarez more than $50 million, and the kingdom is currently facing financial strain amid the political crisis.
