Saturday’s Mexico vs The World show in Riyadh is falling apart at a remarkable rate. Days after Lorenzo Parra failed his pre-fight medical for a planned featherweight title shot against Rafael Espinoza, forcing no. 15 Ricardo Blandon to step in, multiple outlets reported
earlier today that super lightweight contender Lindolfo Delgado declined to travel for his vacant title bout against Arthur Biyarslanov.The IBF has yet to comment and no replacement opponent has yet been named.
Delgado’s (24-0, 16
KO) trainer, Robert Garcia, told BoxingScene last week that organizers had yet to provide travel schedules or any relevant information. In an update this morning confirming Delgado’s exit, he cited both the ongoing safety concerns over the constant Houthi missile attacks on Riyadh infrastructure and the delays forcing a truncated adjustment period for Delgado.
Frankly, he’s right to not go. It’s absolutely ludicrous that Turki is forcing this to go on; multiple other high-profile Saudi events, including the Six Kings Slam and Dakar Rally, have already been postponed and/or relocated. The State Department recently recalled its “non-emergency employees” and advises that Americans “reconsider travel” to the country. Dan Rafael recently reported that commentary may be done remotely from London. All of these athletes are at serious risk for the sake of holding an event that would be exponentially safer, more convenient, and more lucrative in Las Vegas.
It’s not going to get safer anytime soon, either. Recent reporting indicates that the United States and Israel have plans in place to potentially escalate hostilities against Iran either before or after next week’s midterm elections, which would prompt immediate retaliation against their Gulf allies. Everyone involved in this production could very easily wind up stranded or dead if things take a turn for the worse.
But hey, they’re saving boxing, right?
