Friday night’s boxing event in the heart of Midtown Manhattan featuring Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero, Devin Haney, Jose Ramirez, Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr. will be “one of the strangest events in boxing history,” according to Alex Pattle of the London INDEPENDENT. It is an “intriguing idea and an alluring event.” While “heart” applies to the matter of location, that “might be the extent of the soul involved.” The latest details “suggest that this fight card will be invite-only,” so expect the boxers, their teams and “select media, but very few fans -- if any.” This card will be staged by The Ring magazine, which was recently purchased by Saudi boxing chief Turki Al-Sheikh. Last Saturday’s bout between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn in London was also organized by The Ring. These events are “part of the same Saudi boxing drive, which has naturally drawn accusations of sportswashing.” Defenders of this ongoing Saudi boxing project would “point to the continued, high-level matchmaking on display” (London INDEPENDENT, 5/1).
IN THE RING: THE ATHLETIC’s Jacob Whitehead wrote backed by the “enormous chequebook” of the General Entertainment Authority, the government department that Al-Sheikh heads, “Saudi Arabia has taken over boxing.” Boxer Terence Crawford said, “It’s not about the money. Turki is succeeding because he treats boxers like friends and partners, not enemies to be exploited. He is here to fix the greatest sport in the world.” The 2034 World Cup will be the “largest sporting event in Saudi Arabia’s history” and Al-Sheikh will “play a key role, sitting on the tournament’s planning committee.” Al-Sheikh is the “sports magnate in charge of delivering Saudi Arabia’s soft power events, both domestically and internationally,” yet also has “extensive links with the hard power” of Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s court, which “situates the nation as a human rights pariah.” Multiple sources said that Al-Sheikh is “currently competing” with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan -- the man chosen to lead the Newcastle United project in the Premier League -- “for MBS’s ear.” Multiple sources said that “another point of difference” has been Saudi Arabia’s $1B investment in media company DAZN through SURJ, a sports-specific division of PIF. This option was “heavily pushed by Al-Sheikh -- while Al-Rumayyan preferred to concentrate on a potential deal with Qatari broadcaster BeIN Sports.” Al-Sheikh’s proposal “won out.” Whitehead: “For some in Saudi Arabia’s ruling class, Al-Sheikh’s conduct is not compatible with Vision 2030 -- a project focused on both diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy and improving its international image” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/25).
