Riyadh Season, which launched in 2019 to showcase Saudi Arabia’s arts, culture, and entertainment, is evolving into a year-round spectacle for fight enthusiasts. What was once a winter festival has now become synonymous with one thing: big-time boxing.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has pulled out all the stops to host major boxing events, attracting the world’s top fighters. On August 3, Riyadh Season took its global ambitions further, debuting in Los Angeles at BMO Stadium, with pound-for-pound champion Terence Crawford headlining what many called one of the best fight cards in recent memory.
Next on the calendar is London, where another Saudi-backed show will take place on September 21. Anthony Joshua is set to face Daniel Dubois, in a lineup so stacked that Wembley Stadium is expected to be full long before sunset.
By hosting events in two of boxing’s traditional powerhouses—Los Angeles and London—Saudi Arabia’s boxing venture has entered a new and bold chapter. It’s one thing to stage fights in Riyadh, but it’s an entirely different challenge to make waves in these historic boxing markets.
This rapid expansion raises questions about the future of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in boxing, especially as the kingdom eyes more ambitious sporting projects, including hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Boxing, unlike some sports, is fragmented and ripe for a takeover. The sport has long lacked centralized governance, leaving promoters to compete for attention, with little collaboration between them. Despite the existence of sanctioning bodies, they primarily serve to bestow championship belts in exchange for a share of the profits, rather than provide real structure.
Leading Saudi Arabia’s foray into the boxing world is Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A lifelong boxing fan, Alalshikh is keen to reshape the sport and address its long-standing issues. “We are committed to the long-term success of this industry and prepared to navigate challenges,” Alalshikh told ESPN earlier this year. “There is a big opportunity in boxing, but you must fix all the problems.”
Under Alalshikh’s leadership, Saudi Arabia has already made significant strides. His influence has supercharged the heavyweight division and even helped crown Oleksandr Usyk as the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years. Alalshikh has also succeeded in bridging a long-standing rivalry between British promoters Matchroom and Queensbury, which led to fighters from both camps squaring off in a summer event.
Moreover, Alalshikh has inked partnerships with major American promoters like Top Rank and Golden Boy, while maintaining existing deals with Matchroom and Queensbury. These collaborations have opened the door for more frequent and higher-quality matchups, with Top Rank agreeing to sponsor 12 fight cards annually. Additionally, partnerships have been secured with the WBA and WBC, two of boxing’s most established sanctioning bodies.
Looking ahead, Alalshikh is eyeing a partnership with a preferred broadcast partner, with DAZN emerging as the front-runner. “For boxing’s future, it needs to be on one platform with big fights,” he said on X Spaces. “DAZN is doing great work, and they support us. They have the potential to be the home of boxing if they want.”
The groundwork is being laid for a more integrated and coherent boxing ecosystem, driven by Saudi Arabia’s growing influence. This could include fewer weight classes, streamlined rankings, and the reduction of unnecessary title belts, potentially restoring the prestige of being crowned a world champion.
While rumors of a full Saudi takeover of boxing have circulated, it remains to be seen if this is the ultimate goal. However, the groundwork is already being laid, and figures like Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom, are excited by the possibilities. “His Excellency’s plans for the sport are incredibly exciting and ambitious,” Hearn said, hinting at the potential for boxing to consistently deliver the best fights.
As for the immediate future, Riyadh Season’s boxing lineup is packed. After the London event in September, an October 12 card in Riyadh will feature Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev in a light-heavyweight unification bout. The year will culminate with the highly anticipated rematch between Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, originally launched in 2019 to promote arts, culture, and entertainment, has rapidly evolved into a global spectacle for boxing fans. What started as a seasonal festival has now become a year-round phenomenon, shining a spotlight on the kingdom’s growing influence in the world of sports. And nothing captures this more than its foray into boxing—one of the most storied and beloved sports worldwide.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting high-profile boxing events has been evident for several years. The kingdom has invested heavily to lure top-tier fights to its soil, from heavyweight clashes to undisputed title matches. This effort reached new heights on August 3, 2023, when Riyadh Season went on tour for the first time. Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium played host to a historic night of boxing, headlined by pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford, in what many called the most impressive card seen in a generation.
But the tour doesn’t stop there. Next up, on September 21, London will witness another massive Saudi-led event. Boxing superstars Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will headline at Wembley Stadium, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the sport. These international showcases mark a significant new phase in the kingdom’s mission to become a major player in the global boxing arena.
Hosting events in the Middle East is one thing, but stepping into boxing’s traditional heartlands—Los Angeles and London—is a bold and audacious move. These cities have long been considered meccas for the sport, with their rich boxing histories and passionate fanbases. By successfully entering these markets, Saudi Arabia has shown it’s not only serious about hosting marquee events but also about reshaping the sport’s future.
Saudi Arabia’s boxing ambitions don’t end with individual fights. The kingdom has made it clear that it’s in for the long haul, with a broader vision for the sport. The country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is reportedly interested in investing heavily in the sport. But what could this mean for boxing’s future?
Unlike golf, which Saudi Arabia has also ventured into, boxing is ripe for reform. The sport is fragmented, with multiple promoters, broadcasters, and sanctioning bodies often working at cross-purposes. Without central governance, boxing has struggled to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive sports market. Saudi Arabia could be the force that unites these disparate elements, providing the leadership and investment needed to bring the sport back to the forefront.
At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s boxing revolution is Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Alalshikh is a lifelong boxing fan, and his passion for the sport is matched by his ambition to transform it. He has already achieved a lot in a short period, partnering with some of the biggest promoters in the world, including Top Rank, Golden Boy, Matchroom, and Queensbury Promotions.
Alalshikh’s vision is clear: to turn boxing into a more unified and structured sport. “We are committed to the long-term success of this industry,” he told ESPN earlier this year. He also emphasized the need for collaboration to “fix the problems” that have plagued boxing for years, from promotional rifts to the confusing plethora of titles and weight classes.
Saudi Arabia’s influence is already shaking up the sport. Alalshikh has spearheaded deals with the WBA and WBC, two of boxing’s most prestigious sanctioning bodies. Moreover, the kingdom is working to align boxing’s biggest players under one roof, with streaming giant DAZN emerging as the likely broadcast partner to take the sport to new heights.
The possibility of a more integrated, streamlined boxing landscape is no longer a far-fetched dream. Fewer weight classes, clearer rankings, and fewer championship belts could help restore the sport’s former glory. And with Saudi Arabia leading the charge, boxing could finally receive the investment and leadership it has been lacking for years.
The excitement doesn’t stop with the Los Angeles and London shows. Riyadh Season is set to deliver even more boxing action before the year is out. On October 12, a massive card in Riyadh will feature the rescheduled undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. And in December, the long-awaited heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will take place in the kingdom.
Looking further ahead, 2025 will kick off with another huge event in February, and the Saudi boxing train is showing no signs of slowing down.
Riyadh Season’s global tour is just the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s bold new chapter in boxing. By bringing the sport’s biggest names to both Riyadh and international cities like Los Angeles and London, the kingdom is positioning itself as a key player in the boxing world. As Saudi Arabia continues to shape the future of boxing, fight fans can expect more blockbuster bouts, greater structure, and a potential revolution in how the sport is governed and promoted.
With Turki Alalshikh at the helm and Riyadh Season expanding its reach, the future of boxing is more exciting—and uncertain—than ever before.
Additionally, more international events are being planned, including a potential card in China and others in Japan, Australia, and Germany. Alalshikh also dreams of hosting a major event in Africa.
Despite a public falling out with Canelo Alvarez, Alalshikh remains hopeful for future partnerships, leaving the door open for negotiations. “We want to do the big events and the big fights,” he said. “Nothing is impossible.”
With Riyadh Season at the helm, the future of boxing could be dramatically reshaped. If anyone can make it happen, it’s the man behind the Saudi boxing revolution.
