Riyadh Season: A Boxing Fan’s Dream Come True

Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev II was everything fans had hoped for. Two undefeated champions, both representing the pinnacle of boxing skill and power, met in a rematch that defined their legacies. After twelve grueling rounds, Bivol’s precision and movement once again proved too much, securing him a unanimous decision victory. The fight cemented his status as the undisputed light heavyweight king, while Beterbiev, despite his legendary knockout power, fell short in the technical battle.  

But the fight itself wasn’t the only spectacle. As soon as the final bell rang, Turki Alalshikh, the man behind Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in combat sports, took center stage. With the world watching, he delivered groundbreaking news—Canelo Alvarez had officially signed to fight Terence Crawford, a once-unthinkable matchup between the undisputed super middleweight champion and the pound-for-pound welterweight king. And if that wasn’t enough, the highly anticipated rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia was also confirmed, promising another thrilling chapter in their rivalry.  

Turki Alalshikh’s love for boxing isn’t just about hosting events—it’s personal. As the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, he has transformed the country’s sports landscape, bringing the biggest names in the world to Riyadh. But unlike traditional promoters chasing profits, Alalshikh operates with a different goal: making boxing history.  

His efforts have already changed the game. Saudi Arabia has hosted some of the most anticipated fights in recent years—Usyk vs. Joshua II, Fury vs. Ngannou, and now Bivol vs. Beterbiev II. These aren’t just one-off events. They are part of a bigger plan to turn Riyadh into a global fight capital, one that rivals Las Vegas, New York, and London.  

What makes these events different? It’s the perfect combination of spectacle and sport. Riyadh Season fights are not just about boxing; they are grand productions. The lighting, the atmosphere, the star-studded crowds—everything feels larger than life. Fighters get career-high paydays, fans get dream matchups, and the sport gets more mainstream attention than ever before.  

But it’s not just about money and entertainment. Alalshikh’s involvement ensures that the best fights happen. Too often, boxing politics prevent the biggest names from facing each other. In Riyadh, those barriers disappear. Fighters who previously ducked each other for years now have no excuses. The fans win.  

With more fighters eager to be part of Riyadh’s boxing revolution, the sport’s future looks bright. Heavyweight showdowns, undisputed clashes, and even potential cross-discipline matchups are now regular possibilities.  

For boxing purists, Riyadh Season is a dream come true. It brings back the best-versus-best mentality that the sport has missed. With Alalshikh at the helm, Saudi Arabia is proving that boxing isn’t just about where it happens—it’s about how it happens.  

And in Riyadh, boxing happens on the biggest stage, with the biggest stars, and in the biggest way possible.