With an unassuming persona shrouding a pragmatic, meticulous, and result-oriented outlook, forty-two-year-old, Turki Abdulmuhsen Alalshikh has carved a niche of protuberance within the global boxing space.
The former student of King Fahd Security College is currently an Advisor at The Royal Court, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, and also Chairman of The General Sports Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; a position to which he was elevated by a royal decree in 2017. He's also Chairman of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation.
In a country with a somewhat conservative ethos and strict cultural structure, Alalshikh has broken barriers and opened the frontiers of the Kingdom via boxing. The floodgates were probably released when Anthony Joshua recaptured his unified crown in that rematch against Andy " The Destroyer" Ruiz in 2019. And since then, mouthwatering bouts and cards that were hitherto deemed nigh impossible have found fruition in the "Desert Dunes ".
Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua, Otto Wallin, Dmitry Bivol, Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller, Frank Sanchez, and other elite names on one card at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh in December 2023 is not just a commendable effort but a historic feat. Even more impressive is the fact that Turki Alalshikh is able to bring different promoters like Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, Bob Arum, Dmitry Salita Nisse Sauerland, and others to work on one bill.
Being no newcomer to sports as he was previously the owner of Egyptian football club Pyramids and Almeria in Spain, Alalshikh's warm romance with the " Sweet Science " is one that every true fan is upbeat and delighted about. Why? Much sought-after fights drag on till fighters are past their prime, managerial, promotional, and contractual litigations keep fans waiting forever for fights they long to see and Prima Donnas of the sport not wanting to risk their untainted resumès: these are the blockades that Turki Alalshikh has bulldozed and juggernauted.
What's more?
He's staging two undisputed bouts a fortnight apart: Tyson " The Gypsy King " Fury and Ukrainian " Wizard" Oleksandr Usyk battle for all the marbles at Heavyweight: The Undisputed Championship on May 18. And on June 1st, Dmitry Bivol clashes with rival Artur Beterbiev for the Undisputed Crown at Light Heavyweight.
Given the lull boxing has taken in recent times, this adrenaline pump is much welcome. No wonder Boxing Connoisseur Teddy Atlas recently described Alalshikh as the Face of Boxing. Regardless of anyone's reason for disagreeing with Teddy Atlas, the Gentleman's comments carry plenty of veracity.
If this is what he can continually wrought, then forever " Let Turki Take Over".
Samuel Opoku Amoah is a writer and boxing analyst for AceTVBoxing.com. He can be reached via email: samgolden715@gmail.com.
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