Comments Thread For: Turki Alalshikh Indicates His Health Issues Accelerated Saudi Spending Spree On Boxing

[CPNUTKnockoutFreshMart]

Challenges and Opportunities

Putting the Haney vs. Davis fight together to stage it in Saudi Arabia will take a lot of work with negotiating and figuring out the financial side.There will need to be some give on Haney’s part with the weight because it wouldn’t be fair to Tank Davis if he walks into the ring and is confronted by Haney, weighing 170+ lbs and looking like he should be fighting at super middleweight against David Benavidez. Haney will need to agree to a rehydration clause to keep him from shooting up to 165 to 170+ on fight night, which would make the fight look like a complete oddity size-wise.

https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-new...itation/273190

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Starting off a fight already dehydrated is a huge disadvantage ,especially when you have already been dehydrated for at least a week . I'd never take a deal like that and I'd advise my fighter not to as well.

[Elheath]

The whole debate about sports washing aside, personally I really appreciate the fact that there someone rich enough to be able to pay the cash required to get some of the biggest fights that boxing fans have been clamoring for ages. That being said, the Negative Nancy in me is making me feel that all this money being paid now will make the top boxers especially in the heavier weight divisions to give even less of a damn once Saudi comes to the conclusion that the money is better spent on other sports. I mean, why would the guys who get a taste of Saudi money be willing to fight for less than what they got for their next fight when the sport already lets champions keep their belt for years with no action? A quick glance at wikipedia shows the likes of Fury, Lara, Charlo, Vargas, Estrada, Gonzalez and Freshmart haven't defended their belt/haven't fought in their respective division since 2022. Other than Fury (Saudi money) and Gonzalez, I believe none of them even have a fight scheduled any time soon.

Heck, another issue is that as of right now there are like 6 or 7 divisions that have multiple "undefeated" champions in the same division for years, which shows how pathetic and useless the undefeated business has become. How can you be a "champion" for so long in the same division and not want to fight against the other undefeated guy to prove the true best? That is not a mindset of a champion athlete. Thankfully some of the biggest ones will finally fight due to overpaying via Saudi, but that also likely means they won't have fought if not for major overpaying.

[BoxOfficer]

This guy has been great for boxing , and I love his " why wait ? " mentality. I hope that he stays healthy for a long time and continues to receive support from the King and Crown Prince. I'd really like to see him take an interest in more lighter weight classes as well.

On another note , this whole notion of Kings and Princes is just insane. It was a terrible idea in medieval times and it's still a "terrible idea".

There is nothing terrible about the idea. Their people are living very comfortable lives. It is just different from what you're used to.

[N/A]

Those recent camel guys are now princes and excellencies. The fact that the royal family added its name to the country's one speaks for itself about the situation.

We are happy that the Saudis are giving so much money for some sports and making boxers in particular more active is good at this point. But it's a double-edged sword because they prove they can make whatever they like with the sport and it already has its poor results like giving Ngannou a chance for the unification. Sure, let's hope for the better, but have one in mind.

On the other hand, it gives bad habits and creates false expectations and standards in athletes in case Saudis can no longer deliver that money for whatever reason.

[Toffee]

Don't know the man or his background, but, for as long as it lasts, I can really appreciate what he's doing for the sport.
This has the vibe of being a unique time in boxing that we'll look back on and realize we were very fortunate to bear witness to.

This is similar to King's unification series in the 80s. It's a hugely significant period.

It doesn't feel sustainable but if the 80s version sparked a boom in boxing, then maybe this can too.