For years, fans of boxing were tantalised by the promise of the biggest matchups in the sport, only to be left disappointed when deals fell through, and contracts were left unsigned. Now fans can count on three things: these fights are coming; they are going to defy expectations; and they will be brought to them by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, live on DAZN.
So, what led to previously empty words becoming a reality? While it is too simple to say it is all down to one man, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s importance in getting these deals over the line cannot be overstated. Tyson Fury, the global hard hitter who will come up against Oleksandr Usyk in February, encapsulated Alalshikh’s influence and determination when he announced at the press conference: “Last year all these fights seemed impossible to make, and Turki Alalshikh has made them in five minutes”. As Alalshikh put it when he sat down with DAZN’s Ade Oladipo last week, “We don’t want to waste time”.
In December 2018, the charismatic and outspoken businessman was appointed Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) – Saudi Arabia’s version of the Minister for Entertainment. Not long after, in October 2019, Riyadh Season was unveiled.
For those unaware of the cultural phenomenon, Riyadh Season is an annual entertainment and sports festival held in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Launched as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, Riyadh Season brings together a myriad of events, including concerts, art exhibitions, and most importantly for the man at the heart of the GEA, ground-breaking sporting events.
Many might doubt what a Royal Court adviser might know about Boxing, but Alalshikh’s love for the sport is pure - his favourite fighters the legendary Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran - and marries with his ambition for his country. As Alalshikh told Ade, the GEA is “coming with a new strategy, a new idea, a new vision supporting the vision of 2030 in our country”. To do this, they will “deliver to the market the best fights with good price and make the fights what the people want to see”.
Speaking of his phenomenal achievements, two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said, “The passion and commitment the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shown towards boxing is exceptional. His Excellency’s love and knowledge of the sport has created a world of opportunity for the fighters and most importantly the fans.”
Alalshikh has been instrumental in promoting entertainment and sports within the Kingdom thanks to the fact that he himself is an avid fan of boxing and football, and so knows what people want to see. It is under his design that the inimitable Messi and Ronaldo will quite possibly meet for a final time. The desire and intent to bring these events to millions around the globe is what ties DAZN and Alalshikh. It is on DAZN where fans will watch Fury and Usyk face off, where Francis Ngannou will try to cement his name in boxing when he meets Anthony Joshua, and where fans will see the last dance between the two greats of modern football.