Turki Alalshikh has advised promoters to not fear concerning the new TKO Boxing League.
The Saudi Arabian matchmaker opened a areas chat on X that attracted hundreds of listeners. Through the dialog, Alalshikh addressed a number of adversarial reactions to his announcement of an alignment with UFC boss Dana White.
In 2023, Alalshikh and his Riyadh Season crew invited Eddie Hearn and others to advertise occasions within the space. Nevertheless, the British promoter and others who obtained particular therapy didn’t get the decision. Alalshikh needed White to guide his new enterprise.
Hearn expressed his disappointment concerning the mission to the purpose the place he referred to as himself “the very best promoter on the earth” final week. This led to Alalshikh assuring everybody that the league wouldn’t squeeze anybody out.
“This league is a mission not in opposition to anybody,” Alalshikh advised these listening. “It’s not in opposition to the fee, and it’s not in opposition to the promoters. That is my opinion, and that is from my aspect.”
He added that the TKO Boxing League would sit alongside the game because it has functioned for the previous forty years.
“It’s a mission that may have house out there. We are going to nonetheless see the 4 belts, the commissions, and the promoters. The market is big and nobody can delete anybody from the market.”
“I see what occurred within the final week [everyone speaking out and wondering]. I perceive the panic out there as a result of there are loads of firms and loads of promoters,” he stated. “What I wish to say is that we care concerning the followers and the fighters. We assist the followers and the fighters. We are going to proceed doing the massive fights for the folks.”
Since taking up the game with occasions like ‘Day of Reckoning‘ and Usyk vs. Fury, Alalshikh has proven his energy. He has gained assist from each promoter besides Al Haymon.
He’s planning a giant three-day Cinco de Mayo occasion. Ryan Garcia, Canelo Alvarez, and Naoya Inoue will headline completely different exhibits through the weekend celebration.
In true Alalshikh fashion, many occasions will outcome from that massive present. These embody Garcia vs. Devin Haney II, Canelo vs. Terence Crawford, and Inoue’s debut in Saudi Arabia, presumably in opposition to Junto Nakatani.
Alalshikh promised to shock boxing followers on Canelo vs. Crawford when the time comes.
“We is not going to announce all the main points earlier than the third [of May], however there’s shock about who would be the promoter of this massive struggle [possibly White and TKO] and the platform [maybe Netflix] on which you will notice the massive struggle,” said Alalshikh.
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Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra concerning the creator, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010.