The Eddie Hearn Turki Alalshikh partnership shows no sign of slowing down, even as doubts grow around rival ventures involving Saudi Arabia and the wider boxing business. Hearn remains optimistic that his close working relationship with Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s influential entertainment chief, will continue delivering major fight nights despite growing uncertainty over a separate project involving TKO Group, the parent company of UFC and WWE.
While some have questioned whether Saudi investment in boxing might shift direction, especially with TKO’s attempt to launch a new league stalling, Hearn has made it clear that his ties with Alalshikh remain strong and productive.
Eddie Hearn Turki Alalshikh Partnership Built for the Long Term
Hearn is confident that as long as he promotes top fighters and continues to deliver, his collaboration with Turki Alalshikh will keep moving forward. According to Hearn, the business relationship isn’t reliant on any single deal Matchroom Boxing can function without Saudi backing but there’s no denying the boost that the partnership has given his shows and his fighters.
From Anthony Joshua’s title fights in the desert to Riyadh Season mega-events, Hearn has become a familiar figure in Saudi Arabia’s rise as a boxing powerhouse. He describes Alalshikh as a “great asset for the sport” and sees no reason for the partnership to end unless, as he put it, the Saudis no longer want the best fighters in the world on their shows.
TKO’s Saudi League Faces Doubts as Hearn Stays the Course
In contrast, a rival Saudi-backed boxing project involving TKO Group (helmed by UFC’s Dana White) appears to be faltering. What was billed as a revolutionary league model bringing UFC’s style of promotion to boxing has already hit turbulence. A planned Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford fight was quietly rescheduled by Alalshikh, and Netflix’s rumoured involvement remains unconfirmed.
Hearn, for his part, has never seemed concerned. He’s remained sceptical that the TKO-led league would lure major stars, noting the mismatch between typical UFC purses and what top boxers earn. He even suggested that if it does go ahead, it’ll likely focus on up-and-coming fighters rather than household names.
Impact on UK Boxing and the Global Stage
For UK boxing, the Hearn–Alalshikh alliance is significant. It means British fighters continue getting access to global stages, lucrative purses, and crossover opportunities. Far from being sidelined, UK promoters like Matchroom are front and centre in Saudi Arabia’s boxing ambitions.
With Riyadh Season now a recurring fixture, Eddie Hearn expects to remain involved in future events starting with a summer “Ring” series show. As promoters across the sport begin collaborating more to deliver marquee fights, Hearn’s stance is clear: working with Saudi Arabia isn’t a risk it’s an advantage. And while other ventures struggle for traction, the Eddie Hearn Turki Alalshikh partnership looks firmly in control of boxing’s global spotlight.
