The Neutral Corner: When boxing’s appetite for business overrides common sense

As missiles threaten Saudi Arabia, Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli remain on course for Riyadh, concerns over Fabio Wardley’s swift return and Zuffa Boxing continues to build at middleweight

Canelo Alvarez is due to fight Christian Mbilli on October 31 in Saudi Arabia.

(The Neutral Corner is a weekly column that drops every Wednesday)

They are scheduled to swap punches in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in a fight that is no gimme for the 68-fight veteran Mexican.

Canada-based Cameroonian Mbilli is fresher and perhaps more ambitious. Canelo, 36, has been on his mind for years.

And while the 29-0-1 (14 KOs) Mbilli might have dreamt of the fight and the big occasion, it is unlikely he ever considered the backdrop that he is supposed to be travelling into.

Because things are not good in Saudi Arabia.