With the mega-card that is Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev 2 fast-approaching, fans and fighters alike are singing the praises of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the sport of boxing. With rumours of Turki Alalshikh’s plans to create a boxing league, Eddie Hearn makes startling comments on the Saudi’s influence over the sport.
February 22nd will see perhaps the biggest fight card of not only recent years, but for decades. With one undisputed contest, three world title challenges and three interim world title fights, featuring stars like Joseph Parker, Shakur Stevenson, Zhilei Zhang, Callum Smith, and of course, the main event, it is no wonder that Turki Alalshikh and the team behind these cards are highly praised by boxing fans.
The Saudi’s first real foray into boxing was Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou, which kicked off Riyadh Season, and instantly paved the way for Saudi Arabia to become a major player in world boxing.
Since then, fans have been treated to cards featuring multiple promoters, such as the Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5, or the upcoming Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn card, which will feature Matchroom and Boxxer athletes.
Eddie Hearn Makes Shock Claim
Speaking on working with, or for, Turki Alalshikh, Eddie Hearn states, ‘I’m humble enough to know this is another level, and I have no problem working for His Excellency […] I know what the opportunities are for the fighters and the business’.
He continues, ‘If he asked me to clean his shoes, I would probably do it.’
This comes amidst plans of a Saudi boxing league, whereby Turki Alalshikh is looking to bring all promotional companies together. Alalshikh told TalkSport ‘We have a plan for the future to have something like a league.’
Though many fans applaud the influence Alalshikh has had on boxing, they are wary of Saudi Arabia entirely monopolising the sport, which is why Hearn’s statement may have startling implications.
Follow NoSmokeBoxing on X.
