It’s hard to comprehend for a basic working man like me but these guys try to control things like Golf, Boxing and even pro gaming just for the fun of it. .
It ain't for the fun of it. Short term, it's about people seeing Saudi in a more positive way and long term, it's making Saudi a realist mass tourism destination.
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑05 Oct 2026, 06:53
Fights shouldn’t be too hard to make now, seeing as all promoters are with DAZN.
It's going to take a revaluation of money.
What the shows make, and how much of that gets passed in to the fighters.
Boxing isn't a growing sport. Most is now behind paywalls. If your curious about a sport are you paying a dazn subscription or a PPV?
Yeah it totally sucks. DAZN is so obscure, most casuals don’t even know fights are happening now, let alone watching them.
TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑05 Oct 2026, 06:11
I was wondering how long the Saudis were going to continue to lose money
Turki's a massive boxing fan. Once he passes, the money will stop soon after. There will still be the odd fight in Saudi, but I think it'll be more like a site fee deal.
Do you actually believe that nonsense about him being a "massive " boxing fan.
The saudis spotted a fractured sport they could easily buy so they can sports wash it, and this individual was just the front person.
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑05 Oct 2026, 06:53
Fights shouldn’t be too hard to make now, seeing as all promoters are with DAZN.
It's going to take a revaluation of money.
What the shows make, and how much of that gets passed in to the fighters.
Boxing isn't a growing sport. Most is now behind paywalls. If your curious about a sport are you paying a dazn subscription or a PPV?
They're just gonna have to make new stars. The old ones are gonna expect the Moon in terms of payment, and the other promoters that aren't Turki won't be able to give it. They're gonna have to set the new pay range with the up and coming talents and build what comes next around them.
Totally agree. Dana White has over 100 fighters in his group and most are just starting out. If he regulates the purses they get, he may bring boxing back to an equitable reality. Who would have thought that?
Alba wrote: ↑05 Oct 2026, 16:37
Do you actually believe that nonsense about him being a "massive " boxing fan.
The saudis spotted a fractured sport they could easily buy so they can sports wash it, and this individual was just the front person.
They needed to do something after they realised that their embassy in Turkey was compromised and the Turks had caught the Khashoggi killing on audio.
TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑05 Oct 2026, 06:11
I was wondering how long the Saudis were going to continue to lose money
Turki's a massive boxing fan. Once he passes, the money will stop soon after. There will still be the odd fight in Saudi, but I think it'll be more like a site fee deal.
Do you actually believe that nonsense about him being a "massive " boxing fan.
The saudis spotted a fractured sport they could easily buy so they can sports wash it, and this individual was just the front person.
Yes, based solely on his favourite boxer being Larry Holmes.
In my opinion, Turki Alalshikh is likely to reduce or eventually end his involvement in boxing in the near future.
His departure would probably reduce the number of extravagant Riyadh Season cards built around “dream” super-fights such as Fury–Joshua.
However, Saudi investment in boxing now extends beyond Turki personally.
Sela has entered a multi-year partnership with TKO in Zuffa Boxing (that has a long-term deal with Paramount+), while another Saudi company, SURJ Sports Investment, invested approximately $1 billion for a reported 10% stake in DAZN.
Therefore, even if Turki eventually leaves boxing, that doesn't necessarily mean Saudi Arabia will follow him.
I would instead expect Saudi boxing investment to become more disciplined, moving away from the previous “acquisition at almost any cost” approach towards long-term commercial sustainability.
Eolaithe wrote: ↑06 Oct 2026, 07:34
In my opinion, Turki Alalshikh is likely to reduce or eventually end his involvement in boxing in the near future.
His departure would probably reduce the number of extravagant Riyadh Season cards built around “dream” super-fights such as Fury–Joshua.
However, Saudi investment in boxing now extends beyond Turki personally.
Sela has entered a multi-year partnership with TKO in Zuffa Boxing (that has a long-term deal with Paramount+), while another Saudi company, SURJ Sports Investment, invested approximately $1 billion for a reported 10% stake in DAZN.
Therefore, even if Turki eventually leaves boxing, that doesn't necessarily mean Saudi Arabia will follow him.
I would instead expect Saudi boxing investment to become more disciplined, moving away from the previous “acquisition at almost any cost” approach towards long-term commercial sustainability.
It could go the same way as LIV Golf at any moment; if you don't think so, you're being woefully naïve.
Eolaithe wrote: ↑06 Oct 2026, 07:34
In my opinion, Turki Alalshikh is likely to reduce or eventually end his involvement in boxing in the near future.
His departure would probably reduce the number of extravagant Riyadh Season cards built around “dream” super-fights such as Fury–Joshua.
However, Saudi investment in boxing now extends beyond Turki personally.
Sela has entered a multi-year partnership with TKO in Zuffa Boxing (that has a long-term deal with Paramount+), while another Saudi company, SURJ Sports Investment, invested approximately $1 billion for a reported 10% stake in DAZN.
Therefore, even if Turki eventually leaves boxing, that doesn't necessarily mean Saudi Arabia will follow him.
I would instead expect Saudi boxing investment to become more disciplined, moving away from the previous “acquisition at almost any cost” approach towards long-term commercial sustainability.
It could go the same way as LIV Golf at any moment; if you don't think so, you're being woefully naïve.
The Saudi based stacked dream cards are long gone. I bet the Fury undercard will be rubbish so they're not spending what they did
I'd love to see the PPV numbers when Dazn tried them as standalones. Surely they flopped massively hence the switch to gouging those fans who signalled commitment by trying to extract every pound note possible with the two tier subscription and fake ppvs.
Eolaithe wrote: ↑06 Oct 2026, 07:34
In my opinion, Turki Alalshikh is likely to reduce or eventually end his involvement in boxing in the near future.
His departure would probably reduce the number of extravagant Riyadh Season cards built around “dream” super-fights such as Fury–Joshua.
However, Saudi investment in boxing now extends beyond Turki personally.
Sela has entered a multi-year partnership with TKO in Zuffa Boxing (that has a long-term deal with Paramount+), while another Saudi company, SURJ Sports Investment, invested approximately $1 billion for a reported 10% stake in DAZN.
Therefore, even if Turki eventually leaves boxing, that doesn't necessarily mean Saudi Arabia will follow him.
I would instead expect Saudi boxing investment to become more disciplined, moving away from the previous “acquisition at almost any cost” approach towards long-term commercial sustainability.
It could go the same way as LIV Golf at any moment; if you don't think so, you're being woefully naïve.
The Saudi based stacked dream cards are long gone. I bet the Fury undercard will be rubbish so they're not spending what they did
Yeah, let's see what this card looks like. Part of me thinks there will be stuff on the card to attract American viewers.
Eolaithe wrote: ↑06 Oct 2026, 07:34
In my opinion, Turki Alalshikh is likely to reduce or eventually end his involvement in boxing in the near future.
His departure would probably reduce the number of extravagant Riyadh Season cards built around “dream” super-fights such as Fury–Joshua.
However, Saudi investment in boxing now extends beyond Turki personally.
Sela has entered a multi-year partnership with TKO in Zuffa Boxing (that has a long-term deal with Paramount+), while another Saudi company, SURJ Sports Investment, invested approximately $1 billion for a reported 10% stake in DAZN.
Therefore, even if Turki eventually leaves boxing, that doesn't necessarily mean Saudi Arabia will follow him.
I would instead expect Saudi boxing investment to become more disciplined, moving away from the previous “acquisition at almost any cost” approach towards long-term commercial sustainability.
It could go the same way as LIV Golf at any moment; if you don't think so, you're being woefully naïve.
Wow, I had to look that up, hadn't heard of it. A truly ominous omen.
Has anyone ever googled Turki's height? have absolutely no idea why but he's clearly got a propaganda machine churning out articles that he's 6 foot. He's clearly about 5'6
johnmanchester wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 05:46
This whole Riyadh Boxing thing was essentially a gift from MBS to The Excellent Turki for years of loyal service
Once Turki passes away or loses interest in boxing, it's over
I think actually once Fury Joshua gets done, it's over. I can't see any truly big fights to be made after that. I think Turki will lose interest.
I wouldn't count on Saudi cash being much longer for the boxing world.
That in turn will make a dogfight between the promoters again
And I cant see Zuffa putting their own money into it. Zuffa is only a thing because of Saudi money.
Interesting times ahead
Since they're trying to put Opetaia vs Wilder together for the Fury vs Joshua undercard I could see Zuffa trying to steer Opetaia into a fight with Usyk if he beats Wilder and therefore gaining control of the Heavyweight Championship of the World which is the ultimate card to have in your deck if you're trying to get into the business of promoting Boxing.
If they can't make that plan come together I don't know if they'll keep trying to slog their way to the top with years and years of slow matchmaking and all that, but if they wind up being able to put Opetaia vs Usyk together and Opetaia becomes the Champion they're established, and not going to go away.
Everything has to fall perfectly into place in the next 5 to 6 months for that to happen for them though, and trying to get anything to happen quickly in Boxing doesn't tend to work out.
The Pocket Rocket wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 09:56
The mega- cards were great, but let us not believe that Turki was sat in his Saudi palace obsessing about boxing as he was a superfan.
This is sports washing. Either accept that, or don't watch. But don't start with fantasy narratives
Spot on, and his paid cheerleaders who push his narrative across forums, social media etc also push there narratives
Now there’s been several deadly bombings in Riyadh airport I doubt we will ever see a major card here for a long long time. It’s now an active war zone.
2520386 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 06:09
Now there’s been several deadly bombings in Riyadh airport I doubt we will ever see a major card here for a long long time. It’s now an active war zone.
Canelo has assured Turki, he will still be fighting come and of the month, in Riyadh.
The Pocket Rocket wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 09:56
The mega- cards were great, but let us not believe that Turki was sat in his Saudi palace obsessing about boxing as he was a superfan.
This is sports washing. Either accept that, or don't watch. But don't start with fantasy narratives
I accept it's sports washing, but also think Turki is a big boxing fan. That ain't a fantasy, 'tis just an opinion.
joshj909 wrote: ↑09 Oct 2026, 08:11
Has anyone ever googled Turki's height? have absolutely no idea why but he's clearly got a propaganda machine churning out articles that he's 6 foot. He's clearly about 5'6
2520386 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 06:09
Now there’s been several deadly bombings in Riyadh airport I doubt we will ever see a major card here for a long long time. It’s now an active war zone.
Canelo has assured Turki, he will still be fighting come and of the month, in Riyadh.
Nice gesture. Will be difficult if the airport is closed however.
have absolutely no idea why but he's clearly got a propaganda machine churning out articles that he's 6 foot. He's clearly about 5'6