Turki Alalshikh’s Deal With Golden Boy And Top Rank – Will PBC Disappear?
Turki Alalshikh has confirmed that he will work with Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions in a new partnership.
The news is another step in Riyadh Season’s growing influence. The Kingdom already has a strong relationship with Matchroom Boxing and Queensbury Promotions. That enabled them to put on Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. They also made Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, both of which were mega-events. Now, the Saudis will be expanding their influence in the US.
They will help stage Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Serhii Bohachuk on August 10. The fight will take place from the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This is after their first US event when Terence Crawford takes on Israil Madrimov on August 3 live from the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Top Rank will also benefit from this. It is believed that the company will make 12 shows from now and into 2025.
New Deal
“The agreement solidifies Golden Boy and Riyadh Season’s commitment to elevating the sport of boxing by leveraging the strengths of both entities,” Golden Boy
“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, both in the build-up and on fight night,” Top Rank
“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.
“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,” The Saudis
PBC’s Problem
The news is a major blow to PBC, which looks to have fallen down the pecking order. Despite getting their new deal with Amazon Prime Video, the network is struggling to compete with the rise of the Saudis. They have had three PPVs so far, but the events have not hit the heights that the Saudis have managed to do. There are also reports that the Saudis want to create a major boxing league. Their attempts to do so will be much easier now that they collaborate with the biggest promoters.
PBC, which works with Mayweather Promotions, has also seen other changes. Leonard Ellerbe left his position as CEO of Mayweather Promotions. While Richard Schaefer has been appointed, the competition in the sport is now as big as ever. PBC’s global schedule is well short of what Golden Boy, Top Rank and Matchroom can do with the help of the Saudis. With DAZN now a bigger player in the global market, it has left PBC’s Amazon Prime Video deal looking less impressive.
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