Turki Alalshikh seeks boxing peace talks amid health concerns

Turki Alalshikh is racing against his own declining health to broker a cease-fire among boxing's warring promoters.

The Zuffa Boxing co-founder, who has bankrolled blockbuster matchups for Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in recent years, told Ring Magazine he plans to convene Dana White, Nick Khan, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn and other key figures for a peace summit. Alalshikh, who has battled cancer and a brain tumor for several years, said he is worried his cognitive abilities will deteriorate soon.

Alalshikh's timeline for promoter peace summit

"I'll do my best to do a meeting soon between my brothers Dana White, Nick Khan, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, and my partners and friends," Alalshikh said, per Ring Magazine. "To make peace and revolution for boxing. I hope I succeed and boxing fans see the white smoke rise from the chimney. I want to do it before losing my memory. I'm afraid in 2028 or 2029 I'll forget my name."

The Saudi power broker has disrupted boxing's promotional landscape since entering the sport, often standing alongside White as the UFC president launches verbal attacks on traditional promoters. That dynamic has deepened existing rifts in the industry, making Alalshikh's proposed summit all the more unlikely to succeed.

WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia responded to Alalshikh's comments on social media, writing that the promoter's passion "has been already revolutionary" and promising to keep boxing in good hands. Alalshikh has not disclosed a specific timeline for the gathering or whether any promoters have agreed to attend.

Photo: LaMons / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — Ailing Turki Alalshikh aims to settle boxing feuds before ‘losing my memory’ | MMA Mania