Turki Alalshikh has signed partnership deals with Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, meaning only Premier Boxing Champions remain of the big five.
Worldwide, Golden Boy, Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, and Queensberry Promotions are the top promotional quintet alongside Al Haymon’s PBC. Alalshikh already has ongoing deals with Eddie Hearn [Matchroom] and Frank Warren [Queensberry]. This collaboration has seen several cross-promotional fights, to the delight of boxing fans.
Alalshikh and his Riyadh Season movement have scooped up Golden Boy and Top Rank to add even more solidarity to the sport. Those deals mean the fans can expect fighters from all stables to compete against each other with no red tape, which Alalshikh has now cut in half.
Announcing his astounding move in the market, Alalshikh released a statement on both partnerships through Riyadh Season.
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, today announced an official partnership between Riyadh Season and Top Rank designed to continue to drive the promotion of world-class boxing events globally.
“The partnership will use the power and reach of both organizations to elevate the sport. Riyadh Season will have a presence across a host of Top Rank bills in the build-up and fight night.
Riyadh Season will sponsor 12 Top Rank events selected by the promoter during the remainder of this year and 2025.
“Top Rank is one of the most prominent promoters in the boxing industry. For more than 50 years, it has staged high-profile events in landmark settings around the world featuring some of the all-time greats, including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao.
“Over the past 12 months, Riyadh Season has established itself as a key player in boxing, hosting a string of world-class and innovative cards, including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. It will now look to expand its reach into the U.S. market with its first-ever event overseas on August 3 when Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov go head-to-head for the WBA and WBO Interim World Super Welterweight titles at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.”
Today we announced an official partnership between Riyadh Season and Top Rank designed to continue to drive the promotion of world-class boxing events globally 🥊 pic.twitter.com/KbPyXQyPWT
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 22, 2024
On the Golden Boy deal, World Boxing News received a similar announcement despite Chairman Oscar De La Hoya previously speaking out against any future arrangement.
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced a partnership between Riyadh Season and Golden Boy Promotions aimed at bolstering the promotion of top-tier boxing events worldwide.
“The collaboration between both organizations will begin with the Interim WBC Super Welterweight World Championship clash between current Interim Champion Serhii Bohachuk [24-1, 23 KOs] and the undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. [21-0, 21 KOs] on Saturday, August 10 at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
“The agreement solidifies Golden Boy and Riyadh Season’s commitment to elevating the sport of boxing by leveraging the strengths of both entities.
“Riyadh Season in the past year has hosted a string of world-class and innovative cards, including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury,
“It will now look to expand its reach into the U.S. market with its first-ever event overseas on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, headlined by the blockbuster world title clash between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov for the WBA and WBO Interim World Super Welterweight titles will also see legendary hip-hop singer Eminem perform before the main event. The official link to purchase tickets can be found on the Ticketmaster platform by clicking here.
“Led by legendary fighter Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy is the first Latino-owned boxing promotions company and continues to drive its expansion plans for the remainder of 2024 and beyond, having already developed a reputation as an industry leader in the sport with a lengthy roster of world champions.”
Crawford vs. Madrimov becomes even more significant for Alalshikh with less than two weeks left until the first bell on Riyadh Season’s American Dream.
As WBN previously reported, ticket sales have not been super-fast, but with Alalshikh ramping up promotion of the show and superstar rapper Eminem performing, a sellout remains expected.
Saudi Arabia now dominates the boxing skyline and holds significant power over what fights will be made in the future. The only question is whether Al Haymon will sign up his PBC company and be part of it, making it a full house for Alalshikh and his movement.
Second-tier promotions like Mayweather Promotions, BOXXER, and Salita Promotions could be future acquisitions for Middle Eastern investors.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
