Turki Alalshikh is the most influential figure in boxing

Four major events took place in Riyadh, during which the face of the heavyweight division changed, bringing the premier division into a much-needed and identifiable top 15, and staging the first undisputed heavyweight fight in a quarter of a century between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. All under the auspices of Riyadh and the GEA.

Fights that had been postponed, like Joshua vs. Fury or Wilder, are on Alalshikh’s radar, and a series of fantasy fights are targeted for the next few years. Boxing needs a good dose of cruelty and better governance.

While there have been insinuations of ‘sports-washing’, Alalshikh has responded by hitting back, speaking out to critics, emphasising his credentials as a sports aficionado while stressing that investment in sports from Saudi Arabia is no different to investment anywhere else on the planet.

Alalshikh has spoken of his desire to return to the era when fans considered Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman to be the most prominent athletes of the era. Or when Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson were revered as greats. When Fury cut his eye and the Usyk fight was postponed, Alalshikh was quick to reunite the two men for a televised show to dispel the rumors and reschedule the event.

Alalshikh could be described as a workaholic, who has himself alluded to his own health problems. Whether or not you are a fan of the boxing that has quickly taken root in Saudi Arabia, the investment from the Middle East has changed the sport forever. Alalshikh has played a vital role in this, working around the clock and often traveling around the world with his dedicated team of 20 or 30 advisors.

As Alalshikh posted on his social media just a few days ago: “I just finished an important meeting with my team, to plan the upcoming fights that we will do for 2024-2025. And for the rest of the world, I am definitely focusing on the Riyadh season card, Wembley edition on September 21 (AJ vs Dubois). Depending on the results and outcomes of the Riyadh season opener card (Bivol vs Beterbiev) on October 12, I will build the card for the Fury vs Usyk rematch on December 21 and another big card (for) the first quarter of 2025. Stay tuned.”

Boxing is already on the schedule and Alalshikh has hinted that more fights will follow.