Turki Alalshikh's boxing reforms face criticism as sport enters difficult period

Three years after Turki Alalshikh began investing Saudi capital into professional boxing to reform the sport, veteran reporter Dan Rafael has issued a critical assessment of its current state. Rafael described the sport as being in the worst condition he has witnessed in his decades of coverage, stating, “Absolutely and it’s not close.”

Alalshikh’s initial vision involved delivering high-quality matchups, improving market standards, and facilitating major fights that promoters previously struggled to organize, such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk. His involvement also led to unprecedented collaboration between rival promoters like Eddie Hearn and Ben Hearn.

However, new challenges have emerged regarding the influence of Saudi funding. Recent tensions include Hamzah Sheeraz relinquishing his WBO super middleweight title rather than facing Janibek Alimkhanuly following a purse bid won by Queensberry. The situation highlights growing complexities in how fighter compensation and title defenses are managed within the evolving financial landscape of the sport.