Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Explores Boxing Consolidation Plan
In a move that could reshape the future of professional boxing, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has initiated exploratory conversations with major boxing promoters to consolidate fights under a primary banner or “league,” as reported by Reuters. This potential project, expected to launch in 2025, aims to anchor the cards with bouts in the heavier weight classes.
The efforts are led by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who has previously expressed a desire to “reconstruct” the sport, which he feels is “broken.” Alalshikh has already secured cooperation from top promoters, including Frank Warren of Queensberry, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, and Bob Arum of Top Rank, to stage a series of high-profile heavyweight fights, such as the recent undisputed championship won by Oleksandr Usyk over Tyson Fury.
“The plan also includes incorporating fighters from Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, and Alalshikh had previously struck a deal with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions to feature unbeaten junior-middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. on a card in Los Angeles on August 3.”
According to the report, the Saudi Arabian firm would take a “minor stake” in this consolidation effort, which aims to address the long-standing issue of fragmentation within the sport. The complexity of having multiple sanctioning bodies and champions in a single weight class has diluted the significance of many bouts. By financially supporting high-profile fights, such as the upcoming undisputed light-heavyweight bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol, and the rematch between Usyk and Fury, Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia have already initiated a paradigm shift in the sport.
Industry figures, including World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, have expressed support for the concept, recognizing the potential benefits of staging the best possible matchups for boxing enthusiasts. While the details of this proposed alliance are still unknown, the effort to consolidate the sport under a unified banner could be a significant step in addressing boxing’s long-standing challenges and delivering the most compelling fights for fans.
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