Turki Alalshikh And Mauricio Sulaiman Announce A Boxing Grand Prix Tournament

Turki Alalshikh and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman have announced a new venture called the ‘WBC Boxing Grand Prix’ tournament.

The tournament is planned for next year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as it aims to be a ‘world cup of boxing.’ 128 fighters will take part, with a revamped format. There will be four weight classes, which will combine a new scoring and rules system. The plan plays into the growing influence of the Saudis in the boxing world. The Saudis have been praised for making the biggest fights in boxing. Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship was finally made after numerous failed talks. The rematch has also been scheduled for December 21.

Saudi Influence

Artur Beterbiev faced off against Dimitry Bivol for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship. The rematch has also been scheduled for February 22 next year. There have also been big boxing cards, such as the ‘Day of Reckoning event last December. Fans have also seen crossover fights featuring Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, who both faced off against Francis Ngannou. That has opened boxing to a new fan base, potentially earning more fighters the most lucrative purses of their careers. 

But it also has the disadvantage of taking boxing away from the traditional center points of the US and the UK. Fighters may also hold out against facing other boxers, hoping to secure a big payday with the Saudis. These plans could lead to calls for a global Saudi Boxing League, something the Kingdom has been linked with.

But it has the advantage of giving boxing fans bouts they would never see. It also offers boxers that are not at the elite level a chance, something similar to the World Boxing Super Series. That tournament has been praised for allowing boxers to improve their skills and make a name to secure the bigger fights. Turki Alalshikh and Sulaiman were excited about this venture going forward.

Reaction

“It was a dream from the 60, dream for great man, he’s passed away and not seeing that dream. But thank God his son Mauricio Sulaiman is still here and we will help him to have this dream,” Alalshikh said

“We have created together the Riyadh Season, WBC boxing Grand Prix. It is basically the dream that my father had. My father passed away dreaming of making the World Cup of the sport…I am today thankful, grateful, and very enthused that this dream — thanks to the great support of (Alalshikh) and passion for boxing, a reality.

“This isn’t just a few fighters knocking gloves. It’s going to be four weight categories. [It includes] innovative rules…with a review system, with a new system of scoring…and a 30 second warning to make it more appealing to the end of the round. It’s going to be 128 fighters, no more than 26-years old, no more than 10-12 fights,” Sulaiman stated 

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