WHEN Turki Alalshikh speaks the world of boxing listens.
His influence on the sport has rocketed in 2024 and in the February 8 issue of Boxing News he was named as the most powerful person in boxing.
His methods have brought Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren out of a cold war and into a warm, productive relationship where both parties are benefitting. The American market got its introduction to Riyadh Season earlier this month and there will be more shows to come alongside Golden Boy and Top Rank with a working agreement in place. The Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority is operating on a level not seen in years and will continue to make multiple mega-fights for as long as he is involved.
With Riyadh Season: Wembley Edition only five weeks away plans are already afoot for further shows this year and next. Yesterday, however, he took to Twitter/X to ask his 6.8 million followers which 10 fights they want to see in 2024 and 2025.
BN offers 10 of our own suggestions.
suggest for me 10 fight in boxing you want to see in 2024 and 2025?
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) August 16, 2024
Heavyweight
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
The most obvious pick. A heavyweight blockbuster which has seen its appeal dip but then rise again thanks to the boom in business in the marquee division. We may even see a two-fight deal with one taking place in Riyadh and the other at Wembley Stadium. However, a lot hinges on their next fights against Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, respectively.
Zhilei Zhang vs. Martin Bakole
Carnage. Zhang is hoping to secure a rematch against Joseph Parker while Bakole has been celebrated back home in Congo after his brutal display against Jared Anderson which earned him the biggest win of his career. Zhang-Bakole could be this generation’s Foreman-Lyle.
Super middleweight
Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez
This feels like it has already slipped through our fingers with Canelo’s financial demands and Benavidez campaigning at light-heavyweight. But while it remains a possibility it remains one of the biggest super-middleweight fights to be made in the division’s 40-year history.
Super welterweight
Terence Crawford vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr
Tim Tszyu could still be the biggest threat to Crawford’s arrival at super-welterweight. However, the Australian and Alalshikh aren’t seeing eye to eye and the latter has made it clear he hopes to make Crawford vs. Ortiz Jr. Experience vs. youth, skill v power, an all-time great vs. an up and comer. Stylistically Crawford could outclass him but we’d rather find out than miss out.
Terence Crawford vs. Jaron Ennis
Ennis came to the welterweight party just a little too late and had to watch Crawford take deserved plaudits for his dismantling of Errol Spence to become undisputed champion. Ennis won’t give up his pursuit, however, and is prepared to move seven pounds to secure a showdown. Ennis is as talented as he is crowd-pleasing and could be the man to topple Crawford but write off ‘Bud’ at your peril.
Super lightweight
Teofimo Lopez vs. Devin Haney
Both are in need of each other with their careers in need of a pick-me-up. Lopez hasn’t kicked on since his impressive showing against Josh Taylor. Haney, the former undisputed lightweight champion, is a man moving on from the events of April 20 with the defeat to Ryan Garcia now overturned to a no contest after Garcia’s failed drug tests. Lopez and Haney are still two high quality operators and could bring out the best in one another.
Lightweight
Gervonta Davis vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko
This fight has already been mooted for 2025 when Lomachenko is set to return. The Ukrainian remains a world-class phenomenal talent but at 36 he is on the home straight of his career. Seeing “Tank” Davis and “Loma” in the same ring would be a compelling sight. Davis is a pound-for-pound talent but still improving. One of the best matchups out there.
Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson
Another fight on the radar of the boxing world featuring two very different talents and with the right promotion could be turned into a modern day super-fight like Crawford vs. Spence. It’s doubtful one would dominate the other and Davis may force Stevenson to come out of his defensive shell and show us what he can do when he lets his hands go.
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda
An American matador versus a Mexican bull. A fight where questions would be answered by both men. There is every possibility Stevenson would outclass Zepeda but the latter fights at a frenetic pace and has one of the biggest punch outputs in boxing. Stevenson would have his hands full for 12 rounds and his flashes of brilliance might not be enough to win rounds against the work-rate of Zepeda.
Featherweight
Naoya Inoue vs. Angelo Leo
It’s impossible to leave out the Japanese superstar but the question is who would you match him against? A fight against Junto Nakatani wouldn’t require the assistance of Alalshikh and one against ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is nonsensical because of the weight disparity. Leo, however, proved himself worthy against Luis Alberto Lopez this month. Inoue will move to featherweight and Leo is as good as anyone else at 126lbs.