Troubling News From Turki Alalshikh Affecting Boxing’s Future

• The focus of Wednesday’s news conference for the Fury vs Joshua fight was seeing the two fighters face off for the first time, and the absence of Dana White.
• But there was far more troubling news in the comments of fight backer Turki Alalshikh.
• The declining health of Turki Alalshikh could have a significant impact on boxing’s future.

Participants in Wednesday’s news conference in London featuring Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were all smiles at finally, officially getting the fight over the finish line.

Everyone was relieved that a potential roadblock involving the ongoing bad blood between Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn and Zuffa Boxing promoter Dana White was dodged when White apparently decided to stay home in Las Vegas, citing his obligations to his UFC fighter development reality show, “The Contender.”

But a storm cloud briefly darkened the proceedings for those listening closely to the remarks of the financial backer most responsible for finally making Fury vs Joshua a reality after ten years, Turki Alalshikh.

Alalshikh represents the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, run by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Saudi government for multiple entertainment and sporting events, including Riyadh Season-sponsored boxing, and is credited with getting this fight over the finish line after ten years.

Seated in the front row rather than on stage, Alalshikh offered his thanks, then spoke in candid terms that will linger long after a winner is decided in December.

Alalshikh has been open for months about his ongoing battle with cancer, including brain cancer. He appeared tired and slightly frail as he spoke.

“In the end, I am going. Today, tomorrow. In the end, you are all making history here.

“I don’t know, in couple of years, (whether) I will remember this moment or not. I have a doubt about it now. My health in the last four months is not good. I come here only for the fighters,” said Alalshikh, which drew applause from the audience as many recognized the weight of his statement.

“I like the movie of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman,” referring to their 2007 film ‘The Bucket List.’

“The wish list, I have a wish list in boxing. I want to deliver it before when I can deliver it. Please help me to deliver it. Please, Eddie, Frank, Nick, everyone, help me to do it for the fans,” said Alalshikh.
Alalshikh also took the opportunity to try and explain how the fight nearly ran off the rails in the fight over the location and the promoter roles, and whatever part he played in it.

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Turki Alalshikh, Dana White, and Nick Khan, photographed on Sept. 25. Photo: Courtesy Turki Alalshikh/X

“No one questioned me about England. No one questioned me about UK,” said Alalshikh. “This is my other country. I love the British people. I try all the times to deliver everything for them but put yourself in my shoes,” saying by staging in the fight in the UK rather than at Madison Square Garden there is a loss of $70 million in potential revenue.

“I will be honest today. I know from the beginning that London will not give me the stadium (Wembley Stadium) until 2 a.m.,” said Alalshikh.

Wembley Stadium sits in a densely populated residential area of London. Local authorities enforce strict noise ordinances to prevent late-night disturbance for nearby residents. The stadium’s operating license with the local Brent Council mandates specific closing times depending on the day of the week, generally 10:30 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on Saturdays.

These restrictions have been lifted on occasion. London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his willingness to help accommodate the fight card as recently as three weeks ago.

“And I know Dua Lipa not will not perform in the stadium because she doesn’t like boxing, and maybe she doesn’t like me also. No, I think she have something with the Arab, and you know, it is my blood. I cannot change it,” added Alalshikh.

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In the biggest Riyadh Season entertainment coup, Eminem performed before the main event of the August 2024 Crawford vs Madrimov card at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Alalshikh has often added musical acts to major boxing events to maximize attention. His push to secure three-time Grammy winner Dua Lipa became an unexpected issue when Alalshikh reportedly told Netflix that having her perform was critical to staging the fight in London rather than at Netflix’s preferred venue, Madison Square Garden in New York.

But in May, Dua Lipa officially declined the offer to perform, with no reason given. According to Tyson Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, the promotional team remains intent on securing a legendary performer to entertain the massive stadium crowd. The two main names heavily targeted are Elton John and former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher.

“In the end, Wales delivered, and still it is UK. Let’s do it. Let’s do it. Thank you,” concluded Alalshikh.

As the event closed, Tyson Fury recognized Turki Alalshikh’s role in making the event a reality.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to give a very special man a lot of credit. As we all know, this fight’s been 10 years, some people say 15 years, whatever in the making, and nobody on this planet’s been able to make this fight at all.

“A very special man has come into boxing and completely made every big fight that everybody could ever dream of. All the big dream fights of the era have been made, and thanks to one man, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Stand up and take a bow, sir.

“It is not me. It is not me, said Alalshikh. “I have a great man behind me, support me. My boss, God bless him. The Crown Prince,” referring to the rule of the Kingdom of Sauri Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn also acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the struggle to make the fight happen when he and Joshua insisted it take place in Great Britain and not the United States.

“I know when we always talked about this fight, you envisaged this moment for British boxing. You’ve been part of those big moments, and what I’ll say is, this guy has changed the face of boxing in this country. Right? So has Tyson Fury. We are the envy of the boxing world,” declared Hearn.

“Ultimately, what we can’t do is take our two biggest-ever fighters in the biggest moment in sports history in this country, and stage it anywhere else,” turning to Alalshikh as Hearn added, “And I know you wanted it in the UK, and I had to fight. I wanted in Wembley.

“Tell the Mayor and tell Dua Lipa,” blurted Alalshikh.

“We had to fight our corner, and you will be so happy that the biggest fight in boxing will happen December 11 in the UK. Thank you all to the British public for putting the pressure on and making sure we made it happen,” said Hearn.

“Eddie, Eddie, you know in the end, everyone care about the fight to happen, even in the moon. But we need to have it to happen,” replied Alalshikh, still a bit disappointed over losing the New York venue.

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Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have their first faceoff Wednesday in London, with Turki Alalshihk holding the RING Magazine belt. Photo: Zacharias Delgado, Matchroom Boxing

Alalshikh concluded the news conference with a plea for all parties to work together over the next 10 weeks – and then beyond December 11.

“AJ, help boxing and save boxing with Netflix, kicking out YouTuber from the boxing,” said Alalhshikh, referring to the strong working relationship between Jake Paul, an active fighter as well as the co-owner of Most Valuable Promotions along with Nakisa Bidarian. Recall that Bidarian served as the Chief Financial Officer of the UFC from 2011 to 2016, helping broker the blockbuster $4 billion sale to WME-IMG (Endeavor).

“Thanks to God for the last fight. This is important for me. Please, please, we want this is the biggest fight. Everyone wait for it, and this is the peak. Tyson, say it. It is the time, and we need it, and we need the fans to be happy,” said Alalshikh.

Alalshikh’s comments Wednesday sounded like the wishes of a man who believes time is running out on him.

Is there a successor to Alalshikh? How does the Saudi government feel about its investments in boxing? To date, it has been willing, through Alalshikh, to make big investments as part of its global marketing and outreach program.

Government roles are filled by royal decree in Saudi Arabia. Turki Alalshikh’s role as boxing’s dealmaker is personal, not built into the Public Investment Fund’s operations. A successor appointed to lead the General Entertainment Authority under the PIF would likely be an administrator focused broadly on tourism and entertainment rather than a dedicated boxing enthusiast.

The Saudis are implementing the Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from its current dependence on oil. It wants to drive tourism and other investments and acquire more global influence.
Alalshikh has been willing to cough up purses to the fighters he wants to see in the ring above the going market rate. Successors may not have the ability to write huge checks that can’t be justified by a direct return on investment.

Investors will like push harder to accelerate the plans of a PIF-backed boxing league model through its part-ownership of Zuffa Boxing to keep expenses down and control broadcast rights. What will be the future for the likes of Matchroom and Queensberry, PBC, Top Rank, and Golden Boy, and the entities worldwide like Zanfer, Teiken, No Limit, and Eye of the Tiger, and regional American promoters like Salita Promotions and Star Boxing?

Perhaps the only operation with enough money to go toe-to-toe is Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

SELA founder, CEO, and Managing Director Dr. Rakan AlHarthy may not find someone else with the same appetite for combat sports. Since AlHarthy founded SELA in 1997, major investments have gone toward soccer, tennis, and Formula 1 racing long before combat sports. It also once funded golf with great enthusiasm for the future of its model. LIV Golf is now swirling the drain.

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