Turki Alalshikh, the influential Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), shook the boxing world on May 2, 2024, by revealing a seven-fight wishlist he aims to bring to fruition. This ambitious roster of potential matchups signals his continued intent to reshape the sport.
Prominent on this list are highly anticipated clashes like Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua, alongside intriguing pairings such as Jai Opetaia versus David Benavidez.
Alalshikh Fights Seven Dream’s influence
The announcement, initially shared by boxing journalist Mike Coppinger on X, highlights Alalshikh’s strategic vision. He’s looking to transcend traditional boxing audiences and cultivate events with broader appeal, drawing on his significant financial resources and promotional acumen. This isn’t just about competitive boxing; it’s about global entertainment.
Alalshikh has cemented his position as a formidable powerbroker in professional boxing. He leverages substantial financial backing to orchestrate high-profile events, frequently under the banner of Riyadh Season. His influence extends to dismantling long-standing promotional barriers, uniting rival companies to stage blockbuster fights.
His strategic moves underscore a desire to control key facets of the sport. Beyond direct promotion, he co-founded Zuffa Boxing with UFC CEO Dana White, further diversifying his reach. He also acquired the prestigious The Ring magazine in 2024 for an estimated $10 million, granting him considerable sway over narratives and fight negotiations.
This holistic approach allows Alalshikh to deliver not just individual bouts, but major entertainment spectacles. He has previously hinted at planning a significant fight card for March 2025 outside Saudi Arabia due to Ramadan, illustrating his global ambitions. His growing involvement is changing how major fights get made.
Heavyweight Dream: Fury Versus Joshua
At the top of many fans’ lists, and certainly Alalshikh’s, remains the perennial heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. This matchup consistently generates immense public interest, despite both fighters arguably being past their absolute peak years. It’s a fight that transcends mere championship implications.
The allure stems from its status as a domestic superfight between two of Britain’s biggest boxing stars. Alalshikh has long been keen on making this happen, recognizing its massive commercial draw. Previous attempts to finalize this bout have faced numerous hurdles, but Alalshikh’s involvement might provide the necessary impetus.
For years, boxing enthusiasts have debated who would emerge victorious in a contest between these two titans. Despite previous disappointments, the prospect of Fury and Joshua finally meeting in the ring continues to captivate. Their names alone guarantee a significant audience, regardless of their recent form.
The GEA Chairman has shown a relentless pursuit of securing these types of generational matchups, proving his commitment to big events.
Cruiserweight and Super Bantamweight Collisions
The wishlist also features compelling matchups in other divisions, addressing competitive gaps for some of boxing’s brightest talents. One such pairing is Jai Opetaia against David Benavidez, a fight that promises to answer critical questions for both men. Opetaia, the cruiserweight king, currently lacks a rival capable of offering a genuine super fight.
Benavidez, meanwhile, has struggled to convert his formidable success into widespread public interest, despite his impressive skills. Alalshikh’s interest in Opetaia-Benavidez removes a key excuse for the latter, guaranteeing both a significant platform and substantial financial backing. Remaining at light heavyweight for less ambitious fights would seem overly cautious given this opportunity.
Another technically fascinating bout on the list is Naoya Inoue versus Bam Rodriguez. This matchup could be a masterclass in skill and precision. The primary concern, however, revolves around the size difference between the two fighters.
Rodriguez would need to move up in weight, entering the domain of Inoue, a destructive natural super bantamweight. Inoue would undoubtedly possess clear physical advantages, raising questions about the competitive balance of such a contest. Still, the pure boxing acumen on display would draw in purists.
Strategic Pairings: Skill, History, and Commercial Appeal
Beyond competitive balance, Alalshikh’s wishlist prioritizes fights that resonate with specific narratives or commercial viability. The proposed clash between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney is a prime example, carrying a rich history, undeniable skill, and palpable personal friction. This encounter has all the ingredients for a classic rivalry.
However, the risk remains that it could evolve into a low-output, highly tactical affair, potentially disappointing viewers expecting a slugfest. Both fighters are known for their defensive prowess and calculated approaches. Despite this, their names alone would sell the event, thanks to their compelling backstory and championship credentials.
Another commercially driven fight is Terence Crawford against Ryan Garcia. This pairing is easier to understand from a business perspective, leveraging Garcia’s enormous audience and Crawford’s elite reputation. Garcia brings a massive social media following and a younger demographic to the table.
Crawford, an undisputed pound-for-pound star, provides the credibility and a high-level challenge. The danger here is that it might resemble a lucrative name fight more than a balanced competitive contest, given Garcia’s natural weight class. It aligns with Alalshikh’s broader strategy of attracting a wider audience beyond boxing’s core demographic. Such high-profile matchups are essential, much like the conditional boxing return of legendary figures.
Rematches, Crossovers, and the Future
The wishlist also includes a Terence Crawford versus Canelo Alvarez rematch, which feels harder to justify competitively. Crawford already defeated Alvarez, making a second bout challenging to market as fresh or necessary. A compelling rematch would require either a disputed first result or a dramatically different weight arrangement to offer something genuinely new to fans.
Then there’s the intriguing “wild card” entry: Filip Hrgovic versus Rico Verhoeven. This matchup pits an established, top-tier boxer against a highly decorated kickboxer crossing over into a new sport. Verhoeven is a dominant force in kickboxing, but transitioning to professional boxing presents a unique challenge. Such cross-disciplinary bouts often draw significant public curiosity.
This demonstrates Alalshikh’s willingness to experiment with unconventional pairings to capture public imagination. Not every fight on this wishlist will ultimately materialize, but it vividly illustrates Alalshikh’s overarching strategy. His focus is on recognizable names, strategic weight division jumps, and pairings specifically designed to reach beyond traditional boxing aficionados. This strategic vision is reshaping the entire landscape of combat sports.
Alalshikh’s Ongoing Strategic Blueprint
Turki Alalshikh’s reveal of this seven-fight wishlist is not an isolated event; it’s part of a consistent pattern of ambitious planning. He has consistently outlined expansive plans for boxing’s future. This includes finalizing a major fight for Canelo Alvarez in Riyadh by September 2026, a testament to his long-term vision.
He also intends to arrange two fights for Anthony Joshua, along with additional bouts for Tyson Fury and Ryan Garcia throughout the year.
His past actions reinforce his commitment to these grand plans. Alalshikh was instrumental in organizing significant events such as Shakur Stevenson versus Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. He also facilitated Ryan Garcia’s clash with Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, showcasing his ability to operate on a global scale.
This global reach highlights his dedication to bringing the biggest fights to the biggest stages, no matter the location.
In January 2025, Alalshikh had already released a separate wishlist of five fights, which included Canelo Alvarez versus Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk versus Daniel Dubois II. This indicates a continuous proactive approach to shaping the sport’s future. He’s constantly looking for the next major event.
He has also expressed interest in a potential Oleksandr Usyk versus David Benavidez heavyweight championship fight in 2027, as reported by Mike Coppinger. This interest emerged after Benavidez became a three-division champion by defeating Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez at cruiserweight. These future-focused plans underscore his long-term commitment to boxing, reflecting similar ambitious targets seen on the heavyweight comeback trail.
What These Wishlists Mean for Boxing
Alalshikh’s frequent unveiling of such ambitious wishlists offers a compelling glimpse into the sport’s direction. His ability to secure immense funding from Saudi Arabia positions him uniquely in fight promotion. This financial power allows him to pursue matchups that might otherwise be deemed too complex or costly to organize. This is a significant shift in how big fights are made.
The emphasis on bringing major events to Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh Season, reshapes the traditional boxing calendar. It creates new centers of power and influence outside of boxing’s long-established hubs. This means fighters now have more lucrative options and platforms, intensifying competition among promoters.
Ultimately, these wishlists serve as a powerful statement of intent from Turki Alalshikh and the GEA. They signal a continued drive to produce high-quality, high-stakes boxing for a global audience. While not all fights will come to fruition, the sheer ambition guarantees that Alalshikh will remain a central figure in boxing for years to come, profoundly impacting its trajectory.
