Boxing League: Launch Date and WBC President's Comment

It was recently announced that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in negotiations with leading promotional companies to create a boxing league, with companies like Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions involved in the discussions.

PIF aims to invest in a league that would unite major sports organizers and include more boxing matches, with the project’s cost potentially reaching $4-5 billion. According to BoxingScene, citing an official informed about the negotiations, efforts are directed towards launching the project in 2025, with fight cards focused on "heavyweight categories."

World Boxing Council (WBC) President and Ready To Fight advisor Mauricio Sulaiman stated that he "hadn't heard" about the new concept or how close it is to becoming a reality, but he supports the idea.

"From day one (of Saudi Arabia's influence), there was a notion that this could become something bigger. So far, I’ve observed a series of sensational promotions with big names and fights, significant innovations in fight promotions in many ways, and everyone in the industry hopes to be part of this new promotional direction," Sulaiman said.

Thus, the Head of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, confirms his statements about restructuring the sport, which he believes is "broken." The promoter has already organized several high-profile boxing events in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, including the undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury and a 5 vs 5 tournament between Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions.

On August 3, the Riyadh Season tournament will take place in the USA, headlined by a bout between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov for the WBA and interim WBO super welterweight titles (up to 69.85 kg).