The confirmation of the confrontation between Saúl Álvarez and the Frenchman Christian Mbilli in Asian territory has generated immediate reactions within the boxing industry.

The promoter and former world champion, Óscar de la Hoya, has expressed his doubts regarding the sporting value of this card scheduled for September in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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This commitment represents the return of the Mexican boxer after the loss of his super middleweight titles in his last presentation against Terence Crawford.

The decision to organize the event outside the United States and the choice of the rival have been the main points of discussion for analysts.

For Óscar de la Hoya, Mbilli's career presents important questions, especially considering that his last appearance in the ring ended in a draw against Lester Martínez.

Despite this, the WBC body decided to elevate the Frenchman from interim champion to absolute monarch at 168 pounds, leaving him in the direct route of Álvarez.

Questions about television headquarters and logistics

Holding boxing events in the Middle East involves transmission dynamics that are not always comfortable for audiences on the American continent.

In statements given to Fight Hub TV, Óscar de la Hoya expressed his disagreement with the times in which these cards are broadcast digitally. The director of Golden Boy Promotions believes that the mystique of big boxing nights is diluted under these programming conditions.

"Mbilli, please. I don't like the fight, especially if it's not going to be here in the United States. Do we have to watch a fight at 9 in the morning again? I don't like it at all," said the "Golden Boy."

The value of Las Vegas compared to international markets

Nevada Plaza has historically been the nerve center of national celebrations for the Mexican community. During his intervention in the aforementioned source, the promoter insisted that the man from Guadalajara should prioritize proximity to his base audience before prioritizing contracts that are managed in other latitudes. Óscar de la Hoya pointed out the importance of maintaining the tradition of big cards in the traditional venues of Las Vegas.

"I would have loved for Canelo to fight here in Las Vegas in September, with all his fans cheering him on. That's what boxing fans want to experience: big events."

The path to professional retirement

The analysis of the future of the 35-year-old boxer was also part of the discussion about his current motivations.

According to the promoter's perspective, the proximity of sports retirement directly influences contractual decision-making. However, it was emphasized that an athlete with Álvarez's status has the obligation to look for higher-ranking names for his last performances in the ring.

"Every boxer has his best moment and then you start to see his retirement. [Canelo] is a few fights away from retirement, so I don't blame him for taking the money and retiring. But I do think he still has some good fights against great boxers. Not against Mbilli."

Óscar de la Hoya's position reflects the administrative and personal distance that he has maintained with his former client for several years.

With the September date established, the boxing community will be attentive to see if the promoter's projections regarding the lack of commercial success of the event in Riyadh come true or if the Mexican's presence manages to break the expected audience records.