Turki Alalshikh’s Boxing Vision at Risk
Turki Alalshikh’s vision for a spectacular week of boxing events tied to the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez versus Terence Crawford matchup is teetering on the brink of collapse just two weeks before the festivities are set to commence. The core issue arises from the failed fight arrangement between Michael Hunter and Jarrell Miller, which leaves the undercard for the September 11 fight night without any confirmed bouts.
Failed Arrangements and Scheduling Issues
Alalshikh, who serves as the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) in Saudi Arabia, had previously outlined plans for an extensive fight week featuring multiple days of boxing and up to 20 preliminary fights leading to the main event. However, a scheduling debacle involving Hunter—who was committed to a title defense against Kubrat Pulev set for October 4—has thrown a wrench into these plans after his original fight with Miller fell through due to the WBA’s orders.
Promoter Disputes and Legal Tensions
The situation worsened when Epic Sports, the promoter for Pulev, took control over the championship bout and confirmed Hunter would not participate.
“Justice has prevailed,”
stated Epic Sports to World Boxing News, emphasizing that their resolution has clarified the situation and allowed for proper negotiations to resume.
In a twist, Miller has since declared that the fight is officially off, leaving both Alalshikh without an anticipated event and Hunter without an opportunity to compete. Despite this setback, Don King, Hunter’s promoter, insists that Hunter’s fight on October 4 is still on track, a claim that Epic Sports vehemently disputes.
“DKP’s press release attacking Pulev is baseless,”
remarked Epic Sports chairman John Wirt, highlighting the necessity for due process as outlined by the WBA rules. Meanwhile, King has responded by accusing Epic Sports of jeopardizing Hunter’s career, labeling their communications as lies.
Consequences and Future Prospects
With this miscommunication and a pending legal situation between the parties, the overall atmosphere is fraught with tension. Alalshikh’s aspirations of showcasing an electrifying boxing week in Riyadh now hang in the balance. Originally, his plan was to not only present Canelo versus Crawford on September 13 but also to feature a diverse lineup of supporting fights in the lead-up to that marquee event. Time is running out for Alalshikh to salvage his ambitious vision; if he cannot secure adequate replacement matchups, the high-profile week may be reduced to little more than a singular main event.
For Hunter, the implications are severe, as he moves from the prospect of sharing the ring with two boxing titans to facing another period of inactivity. Alalshikh, on the other hand, confronts a significant setback to his goal of establishing Riyadh Season as a preeminent player in the global boxing arena, aspiring to rival Las Vegas itself.
About the Author
Phil Jay brings over 15 years of experience in boxing journalism, serving as Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010. He has extensively covered the sport and conducted interviews with numerous world champions, earning a reputation in the field of combat sports reporting.
