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BOXING

Potential megafights on Saudi list

Turki Alalsheikh has revitalized boxing since entering the world of match making and he has a wishlist for 2025 that includes some of the biggest in the game.

Boxing - Skye Nicolson v Raven Chapman - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 12, 2024  Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh and promoter Frank Warren are seen during the fight between Skye Nicolson and Raven Chapman REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Hamad I MohammedREUTERS

Turki Alalhiekh, the Saudi sports bigwig, has laid out a wishlist that could stir the boxing world. He’s aiming high, targeting megafights that range from intriguing to downright wild. These are the kinds of matchups that could shape 2025’s boxing landscape, though whether they materialize is another story.

Let’s start with the one that stands out the most - Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. This one would be a spectacle. On paper, it’s a clash between two of the sport’s most accomplished fighters, but there’s a catch. Canelo is a three-belt champion at super middleweight (168 pounds) and has a record that speaks for itself: 62 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. On the other hand, Crawford is undefeated, with a perfect 41-0 and 31 knockouts, but he’s spent his entire career fighting in lighter divisions. The jump to 168 pounds is no small feat. Crawford would need to pack on 14 pounds to even step into the ring with Canelo. So, the prospect of Canelo agreeing to fight Crawford is slim to none unless the financial incentives are absolutely massive. Al-Shiekh might have a plan to entice Canelo, offering him a payday so big that the Mexican star can’t resist, but even then, it’s a tough sell. After all, Crawford is seen by some as a smaller, aging fighter, and there’s no immediate benefit for Canelo to take on such a risk unless the numbers line up.

Next up, we have another heavyweight showdown that has long been in the rumor mill: Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury. Promoter Eddie Hearn calls it the biggest fight in boxing, but that’s not exactly a universal truth. While Joshua and Fury might be household names in Britain, they haven’t exactly faced the fiercest competition during their respective careers. Joshua has suffered two defeats, both to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, while Fury’s career has been a mix of highs and lows, including a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder and victories over Dillian Whyte and an aging Wladimir Klitschko. In the U.S., both fighters are viewed with skepticism - more about marketing than about elite competition. So, Al-Shiekh’s desire to make this fight happen may be more about attracting British and Saudi fans than about proving who’s the best in the world.

Meanwhile, another fight on Turki’s radar is a potential rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Garcia, with his 24-1 record and knockout power, wants to prove that his win over Haney last year wasn’t tainted by allegations of performance-enhancing drugs. Haney, undefeated with 31 wins to his name, and his father, Bill Haney, have made it clear they believe Garcia’s victory was a result of using Ostarine. The dynamic between these two is electric, and a rematch would be an event that has boxing fans buzzing. Garcia’s victory gave him the limelight, but if Haney can turn the tables, it would be a massive statement. This one could easily be one of the biggest fights of the next few years if it happens, and Al-Shiekh’s involvement could push it to new heights, especially if he’s willing to finance the kind of purse that could make both fighters sign on the dotted line.

Then there’s Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois 2. Their first bout, which saw Usyk dominate Dubois, has left some fans wanting more. Dubois, who was handed a painful defeat by Usyk, could look for redemption, but the chances of him turning things around in a rematch seem slim unless he can seriously evolve his style. Usyk, the Ukrainian maestro, is one of the finest technical boxers around, and his skills have been a level above for most of his career. However, in boxing, anything can happen, and there is still some curiosity about whether Dubois can turn the tables in a second go-round.

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn rounds out Turki Al-Shiekh’s list of dream matchups. This one might appeal to a specific section of British fans, but stateside? It’s a hard sell. Neither Eubank Jr. nor Benn has proven themselves at the highest level, and the drama surrounding Benn’s doping scandal hasn’t helped his reputation. U.S. fans are largely uninterested in what feels like a domestic-level scrap. These two are barely on the cusp of world-class, and no amount of hype from across the pond can change that.

Al-Shiekh isn’t stopping there, though. He has bigger visions in mind for the future of boxing, including the young heavyweight Moses Itauma, who could break Mike Tyson’s record for becoming the youngest heavyweight champion. Itauma has until May 2025 to make history, and Al-Shiekh believes he’s got the talent to pull it off. His name is already circulating in the boxing world, and if he can continue his rise, his inclusion in these high-profile events may not be far off.

One thing that’s clear: Turki Al-Shiekh has a knack for identifying matchups that have global appeal, especially when they cross the lines between financial opportunity and sporting spectacle. However, as much as the world wants to see these colossal fights, the fighters themselves need the right incentives. Money talks, but it’s the fights that create lasting legacies that keep boxing alive. Whether these megafights ever make it to the ring remains uncertain, but with Al-Shiekh pulling the strings, the possibility is always there.

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