Delgado-Biyarslanov IBF Junior Welterweight Fight in Doubt Over Security Concerns

The scheduled IBF junior welterweight title fight between Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov is in doubt due to security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The two are due to contest the vacant IBF junior welterweight title on the October 31 “Mexico vs. The World” card in Riyadh.

An official said that Biyarslanov has arrived in Riyadh alongside promotional stablemate Christian Mbilli. There is uncertainty over whether Delgado will travel to Saudi Arabia for the fight.

Saudi Arabia has been subjected to repeated Houthi missile and drone strikes over the past month. Among those attacks was one on Riyadh’s airport that reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300.

Biyarslanov and Mbilli were forced to take an alternative route to reach Riyadh. Delgado’s trainer, Robert Garcia, declined to comment on Delgado’s travel plans while travelling home from San Antonio, Texas.

The October 31 card in Riyadh is headlined by Christian Mbilli’s first defence of his WBC super middleweight title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Organisers SELA and Turki Alalshikh have faced criticism for pressing ahead with the card despite safety concerns.

Some terminals at Riyadh’s airport reopened on Sunday, just days before the October 31 event. Daily life in Riyadh has begun returning to normal, with residents back on the streets.