Boxing
Turki Alalshikh takes Golden Boy and Top Rank, PBC goes
Published
4 months agoon
By
J. HumzaTurki Alalshikh has signed partnerships with Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, leaving only Premier Boxing Champions left of the gigantic five.
Globally, Golden Boy, Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions are the top promotional quintet alongside Al Haymon’s PBC. Alalshikh already has ongoing deals with Eddie Hearn [Matchroom] and Frank Warren [Queensberry]. This partnership resulted in several cross-promotional fights, much to the delight of boxing fans.
Alalshikh and his Riyadh Season movement took over Golden Boy and Top Rank to add even more solidarity to the sport. These deals mean fans can expect fighters from all stables to compete without any formalities, which Alalshikh has now halved.
Announcing his unusual move to the market, Alalshikh issued a statement regarding both partnerships via Riyadh Season.
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority, today announced the official partnership between Riyadh Season and Top Rank to further promote world-class boxing events around the world.
“The partnership will leverage the strength and reach of both organizations to elevate the sport. Riyadh Season will be on many top bills in the build-up and fight night phases.
Riyadh Season will sponsor 12 Top Rank events selected by the promoter until the end of this year and in 2025.
“Top Rank is one of the most iconic promoters in the boxing industry, with over 50 years of staging prestigious events at historic venues around the world, featuring some of the greatest boxing champions of all time, including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.
“Over the past 12 months, Riyadh Season has established itself as a key player in boxing, staging a string of world-class and creative events, 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 US market by staging its first overseas event on August 3rd when Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov go head-to-head for the WBA and WBO Interim World Super Welterweight titles at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.”
Today we announced an official partnership between Riyadh Season and Top Rank to further promote world-class boxing events around the world 🥊 pic.twitter.com/KbPyXQyPWT
— Türkiye ALALSHIKH (@turk_alalshikh) July 22, 2024
Regarding the Golden Boy deal, World Boxing News received a similar announcement despite CEO Oscar De La Hoya previously opposing any future arrangement.
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority, announced a partnership between Riyadh Season and Golden Boy Promotions aimed at strengthening the promotion of major boxing events around the world.
“The cooperation of both organizations will begin with a fight for the interim WBC super welterweight title between the current interim champion Serhiy Bohachuk [24-1, 23 KOs] and undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. [21-0, 21 KOs] on Saturday, August 10 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
“This agreement reaffirms the commitment of Golden Boy and Riyadh Season to elevate the sport of boxing by leveraging the strengths of both entities.
“The Riyadh season last year saw a series of world-class and creative events, including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury,
“Now he will look to expand his reach into the U.S. market by hosting his first event abroad on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, headlined by a blockbuster world title fight between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov for the WBA and WBO Interim World Super Welterweight titles. The main event will also feature a performance by legendary hip-hop singer Eminem. The official link to purchase tickets can be found on Ticketmaster by clicking here.
“Golden Boy, led by legendary boxer Oscar De La Hoya, is the first Latino-owned boxing promotion and continues to execute on its expansion plans through 2024 and beyond, already establishing itself as an industry leader in the sport with a long list of world champions.”
The Crawford vs. Madrimov fight becomes even more significant for Alalshikh with less than two weeks left until the first gong to open the season in Riyadh for the American Dream.
As previously reported by WBN, ticket sales were not super brisk, but considering that Alalshikh has intensified promotion of the show, as well as the performance of rap star Eminem, a sell-out can be expected.
Saudi Arabia currently dominates the boxing landscape and has a significant amount of power over what fights will be held in the future. The only question is whether Al Haymon will sign a deal with his company PBC and become a part of it, which would give Alalshikh and his movement a full house.
Second-tier promotions such as Mayweather Promotions, BOXXER and Salita Promotions could become targets for future takeovers by Middle Eastern investors.
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
19 hours agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
1 day agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
‘MIKE TYSON WON’T FIGHT EVER AGAIN!’ – Gareth A Davies
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