The US State Department just ordered all non-emergency government employees and their families to evacuate Saudi Arabia. That’s not a drill, folks. This isn’t some minor travel advisory; it’s a full-on ordered departure due to ongoing missile and drone attacks in the country. And get this: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s massive boxing match is scheduled there in just over a week.
The Escalating Crisis and Real Fears
We’re talking about a serious situation here. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the order, citing a series of deadly attacks by Iranian-supported Houthi rebels. They’ve been targeting civilian airports and critical infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, causing significant casualties. The numbers are grim: at least 20 people have been killed and over 370 injured. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia even issued its own security alert, warning that the fighting could escalate rapidly. Imagine the tension. This isn’t just background noise; it’s life-and-death stuff.
That’s why when boxing trainer Robert Garcia, who’s got Lindolfo Delgado fighting on the undercard, spoke up last Sunday, it hit hard. He publicly admitted his fears for safety, asking reporter Elie Seckbach, “Didn’t they already cancel a tennis [tournament]? There’s no flights going over there. The airport is being bombed. How the f***? Do they expect us to f***ing go comfortable like nothing?” He wasn’t pulling any punches, adding, “We’re not [flying to a private airport]. We’re going to the f***ing airport that’s being bombed. F*** that. … We’re not secured.” It’s a raw, honest take from someone actually involved, and it tells you everything about the chaos.
Big Money Events Still Pushing Forward, Others Bailed
Despite the official US government order and Garcia’s stark warnings, the show, somehow, is still officially set to go on. Canelo Alvarez is slated to face Christian Mbilli in Riyadh for a WBC super middleweight world title fight on October 31. Canelo had previously said he planned to proceed, but that was *before* Wednesday’s evacuation order. WWE’s Crown Jewel event is also still scheduled for Riyadh on November 7. As of Wednesday, both remain on the calendar.
It’s a wild contrast to what other sports have done. The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and the Saudi International golf tournament have already been postponed due to the attacks. Yet, UFC, which shares a parent company with WWE, TKO Group Holdings, is also pushing ahead with its Middle East schedule. UFC 333 is happening this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev. And get this: UFC even has another Saudi Arabia event scheduled for December 5 in Riyadh. UFC CEO Dana White said earlier this week that the promotion has no plans to change anything. It really makes you wonder about the pressure, especially since TKO Group Holdings is in business with Saudi Arabia through Zuffa Boxing, which has Saudi firm Sela and fight financier Turki Alalshikh as owners.
So, here we are, just 10 days out from Canelo vs. Mbilli. The US government is telling its people to get out, and a boxing trainer is straight-up saying he doesn’t feel safe. But the title fight, and WWE’s big show, are still on the books. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and the world is watching to see how this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply