Turki Alalshikh has quickly discovered that he can’t have it all his way in boxing after pushback from a third high-profile star.
The Saudi Arabian figurehead attended the Vergil Ortiz vs. Serhii Bohachuk event in Las Vegas on Saturday night as a guest of Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya. His Excellency’s presence comes one week after the Riyadh Season Card debut in Los Angeles, which was topped by Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov.
But once there, and after a week where Canelo Alvarez all but confirmed the pair would never work together on anyone’s terms but his own, Alalshikh revealed his annoyance with how another boxer operates.
This time, it was the turn of former world champion Tim Tszyu. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Alalshikh stated he had severed all ties with the Australian and his team. Asked about the son of a legend, Turki responded bluntly.
“I will not work with Tim Tszyu,” said Alalshikh before being asked what happened. He replied, “Let him in his way [do his own thing]. He doesn’t understand.”
Tszyu’s banishment makes it a trio of top-level names who have distanced themselves from Alalshikh. The first to do it was Gervonta Davis, who rejected any notion of fighting under the Riyadh Season banner.
The second was Canelo, who told Alalshikh it was his way or no way when approached about a fight against Crawford. However, after Crawford struggled with Madrimov, Alalshikh retracted the offer before informing Canelo that he would move on and allow the Mexican to take ‘easy fights’ like the Edgar Berlanga event in September.
In conversation with Fight Hub TV once again, Alakshikh burned his bridges with Canelo further.
‼️ “If he (Canelo) was a wise guy, he would understand the message!”- Turki Alalshikh
Watch here: https://t.co/t0e1lwa4tY #Boxing #BohachukOrtiz pic.twitter.com/vz27S0JogT
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) August 11, 2024
He stated, “I said it before, and this is my opinion; I don’t start talking about these things [not working with Canelo]. He started and said he respected me, but he doesn’t like what we are doing in boxing. That’s why I said what I said. And I mean it. If he is a wise guy, he will understand the message. But if the ego takes him, let him in his way [do his own thing].
“If the promoter doesn’t deal with him in respect, this is something between him and the promoter. Not me, he responds to me. That’s why he gets the answer.”
It seems only specific promoters and fighters are willing to entertain the newest Pay Per View protagonists in town. Alalshikh may feel more resistance to come as boxers, and their handlers aim to stick to their own path of success.
But without Canelo and Davis, the two biggest stars in the sport, it’s hard to see how Alalshikh can make the ultimate super-cards he wants to make in the future.
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.
