Golden Boy Promotions has joined an extensive list of promotions that have aligned themselves with Riyadh Season, well-known for hosting some of the most exciting and competitive boxing events throughout the past two years. Riyadh Season, which is headed by General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chairman Turki Alalshikh, has further set a precedent for boxing to follow by managing to corral a wide variety of rival promotions to work together to set up magnanimous boxing cards.
The influence of GEA through Turki Alalshikh has culminated in a series of boxing events held under the Riyadh Season brand, which has been responsible for sponsoring and/or organizing several well-known cards, including:
- the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8th this year.
- the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury undisputed heavyweight event, also held in Riyadh on May 18th this year.
- the 5 vs. 5 Queensberry Promotions ― Matchroom promotional battle similarly hosted in Riyadh on June 1st this year.
Though initially regarded as an annual state-funded festival held in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Season has exceeded its original function as a mere sports festival [that uses boxing events to increase interest towards the country while simultaneously promoting the sport of boxing] and appears to now be organizing boxing events in other countries; most prominently the upcoming August 3rd card set to be held in Los Angeles, and the upcoming September 21st event which will see an all-British affair occur at the Wembley Arena in London.
With the prevalent promotions such as Matchroom and Queensberry Promotions having already joined forces with Riyadh Season, Golden Boy Promotions now finds itself the latest promotional outfit to join Riyadh Season’s stable as both would go on to state in a joint press release on July 22nd:
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced a partnership between Riyadh Season and Golden Boy Promotions aimed at bolstering the promotion of top-tier boxing events throughout the world. The collaboration between both organizations will begin with the Interim [WBC 154 lbs] Champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KO’s) and the undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KO’s) at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.
“The agreement solidifies Golden Boy and Riyadh Season’s commitment to elevating the sport of boxing by leveraging the strengths of both entities. Riyadh Season in the past year has hosted a string of world-class and innovative cards including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.”
“It [Riyadh Season] will now look to expand its reach into the U.S. market with its first-ever event overseas on August 3 at [the] BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, headlined by the blockbuster world title clash between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov for the WBA and the WBO Interim World Super Welterweight titles, and will also feature a performance by legendary hip-hop artist Eminem before the main event. The official link to purchase tickets can be found on the Ticketmaster platform by clicking here.”
“Led by legendary fighter Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy is the first Latino-owned boxing promotions company and continues to drive its expansion plans for the remainder of 2024 and beyond, having already developed a reputation as an industry leader in the sport with a lengthy roster of world champions.”
According to the press release, the upcoming Bohachuk-Ortiz bout on August 10th will be sponsored by Riyadh Season, which further demonstrates the extending reach and ambitions of GEA head Turki Alalshikh.
The partnership will likely see Golden Boy put forward their best fighters for events organized through Riyadh Season. As most of these events depict ultra-competitive fights, it will also be a defining moment for Golden Boy’s pool of talent who, while set to be compensated appropriately and fairly according to the competition face, will need to face the best available.
Overall, the partnership can be construed as a show of power by Turki Alalshikh, GEA and Riyadh Season as another reputable promotions joins Saudi Arabia’s finest experts when it comes to organizing and supporting boxing events.
The Bohachuk-Ortiz card is perhaps most evident of the rapid changes that are already occurring, with both fighters preparing for likely the biggest fight of their careers as they pursue world title glory through the interim fight.
In addition to Golden Boy, the likewise America-based promotion Top Rank has announced its own separate partnership agreement with Riyadh Season, yesterday which will see twelve (12) of its upcoming events sponsored by Riyadh Season.
