New Guidelines for Boxers
In response to the lackluster performance of his recent boxing event in New York, Turki Alalshikh has introduced new guidelines aimed at reshaping the style of fighters under his management for upcoming matches. The Saudi matchmaker and owner of Ring Magazine, purchased from Oscar De La Hoya, expressed his dissatisfaction with the prevalent defensive tactics defined by boxers like Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson, which prioritize evasion over engagement.
Criticism of Recent Matches
This shift in directive comes after his May 2 show, which garnered criticism for featuring an unusually low number of punches thrown during fights—an unprecedented occurrence for a match card, even with only five bouts. Among them were Haney and others who made history on CompuBox for the least action-packed fights, prompting Alalshikh to emphasize a shift away from passive boxing strategies, reminiscent of the previous era when Floyd Mayweather famously utilized the ‘hit and don’t get hit’ technique to maintain his undefeated record until 2015.
A Call for Aggression
Alalshikh, envisioning a new approach, drew comparisons to childhood cartoons, stating,
“From this point on, I don’t want to see any more Tom and Jerry-type boxing matches where one fighter is running around the ring and the other is chasing him.”
His intent is clear: he desires to promote fighters who exhibit aggression and bravery in the ring, prioritizing thrilling, all-out contests over conservative play.
Potential Impact on Fighters
Notably, this directive may alienate several prominent athletes who have adopted such defensive techniques, raising concerns about fairness and potential backlash within the boxing community. This decision also comes ahead of the much-anticipated Canelo Alvarez versus Terence Crawford matchup scheduled for the fall.
Collaborations and Future Events
Alalshikh announced plans to collaborate with Zuffa Boxing for the undercard selection, aiming to incorporate an array of emerging fighters into this prestigious event broadcasted on Netflix—an initiative designed to engage an extensive audience of over 300 million subscribers at no additional cost.
Featured Fighters and Expectations
Among the desired fighters to feature on the undercard are undefeated super-middleweight Christian Mbilli, Saudi prospect Mohammed Alakel, and others including Junto Nakatani, Justin Viloria, and WBO lightweight title contender Abdullah Mason. This new framework aims to invigorate the spirit of competition, focusing on younger, ambitious fighters eager to make their mark.
However, due to financial implications stemming from the headline fight, there are expectations that the undercard may lack high-profile matchups—an aspect likely to disappoint fans hoping for star-studded bouts. Alalshikh’s vision emphasizes the importance of heart and pride, as he seeks to redefine the future of boxing events associated with Riyadh Season and The Ring.
