Fury and Joshua Headline Disappointing Boxing Weekend

Turki Alalshikh's latest boxing weekend featuring Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fell short of fan expectations, raising fresh doubts about the Saudi adviser's ability to deliver promised superfights despite unprecedented funding.

The MMA Draw published an analysis Monday questioning whether Alalshikh — who chairs Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and bankrolls major boxing events through Riyadh Season — has become the sport's worst-funded promoter. The outlet traced his evolution from behind-the-scenes checkbook to public face of Saudi boxing, starting with his 2018 promotion to authority chairman and escalating with the 2023 Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou event.

How Saudi Money Changed Boxing Promotion

Early Saudi-funded bouts like Andy Ruiz Jr. versus Anthony Joshua II in Diriyah allowed Western promoters to take credit while Alalshikh stayed out of the spotlight. That changed when Alalshikh began attaching his name directly to marquee matchups, positioning himself as the superfan who could make dream fights happen. His first major press release quote came 15 paragraphs into the Fury-Ngannou announcement, emphasizing tourism and employment rather than sport.

The report detailed how Alalshikh's partnership with TKO shifted boxing's power dynamics. When the UFC initially tried booking a low-tier Saudi card for a reported $20 million site fee, the kingdom rejected the offer and demanded premium talent, eventually securing a June 2024 card headlined by former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker instead of a mid-tier featherweight.

The long-delayed Fury versus Joshua fight remains boxing's most conspicuous absence, with both British heavyweights appearing on separate cards rather than facing each other. Alalshikh's control over major boxing budgets has given him leverage to dictate terms, but critics argue the promised fan-focused matchmaking has not materialized despite the historic spending.

Source: themmadraw.com