Call it the ripple effects of Turki Alalshikh’s boxing sojourn. It’s one of those situations when a common rival appears on the horizon. The old guard understands. Alone, they cannot tackle the new force. So why not join hands and deal with the adversary collectively! That basically sums up the hints Bob Arum dropped during a recent interview.

With its unique format and a theme purportedly aimed at ‘getting boxing great again,’ the Riyadh Season-TKO boxing has seemingly unsettled the boxing world. Confusion about how the new promotion will function persists. Its relations and coexistence with other promotions and sanctioning bodies remain the burning issue. With rumors adding fuel to the fire, uncertainty often causes a feeling of insecurity. Naturally, to ward off any calamity, setting up a pre-deterrent becomes imperative. Perhaps that may be the reason why, in light of the recent developments, Bob Arum may potentially reach out to rival Al Haymon‘s PBC. And what better way to cement the newly forged partnership than by putting on a show headlined by a boxing superstar?

Let’s band together and tackle this challenge!

The conversation actually began with Vasyl Lomachenko‘s potential return. Later, Bob Arum spoke about the title fight between Lamont Roach Jr. and Gervonta Davis earlier this month. Like many, he also felt that Roach Jr. had done enough to secure a worthwhile victory. The discussion stirred Sean Zittel to highlight the title unification involving Top Rank’s Keyshawn Davis, Tank, and Shakur Stevenson. Bob Arum ruled out a potential fight between Keyshawn Davis, whom he even compared to ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, and friend Shakur Stevenson. However, he acknowledged that things in boxing can always change.

But there’s a strong substitute. “You know, as far as Tank Davis is concerned, uh, I think that uh, more and more, uh, we’re talking with PBC, and we’ll be making uh, fights with them,” stated the veteran promoter. As Sean Zittel further reflected, “It’s part of, um, you know, Turki Alalshikh, and the new is part of that, prompting you guys to work together more when in the past you may not have,” Bob Arum acknowledged. “That is correct.”

A common challenge, but mixed reactions

So the competition from Saudi-backed fights is encouraging U.S. promoters to work together more. Zittel cited another example, the potential face-off between PBC/TGB’s Sebastian Fundora and Top Rank’s Xander Zayas. He remarked, “So is it more important now than ever that you guys do have a good relationship putting together fights?”

Arum promptly reiterated, “Absolutely, absolutely.” The Top Rank honcho further explained, “Because, uh, the Saudis are paying a lot of money for the fights that they put on, and we avail ourselves of that money with our fighters, uh, but, uh, to make big fights on our own, uh, in many cases, we need to work together with PBC, and they need to work with us.”

To that extent, Arum even ruled out previously existing roadblocks, such as those related to networks. The news of the TKO-Riyadh Season deal immediately sent worrying signals across the boxing world. When questioned, Oscar De La Hoya said that he felt a bit ‘offended.’

“No, look, I mean, I did hear that he passed over the reins of boxing to Dana White. Well, that comment to me, I felt a little offended,” said the ‘Golden Boy,’ who later added, “So what I’m going to do is stay in my lane and do what I do for Golden Boy and with DAZN and give the fight fans the best fight that can possibly be made.”

As Sean Zittel highlighted, boxing could potentially evolve to resemble the corporate world in some ways. Increased competition among stakeholders means better fights and events for the fans. From a broader perspective, the advent of Saudi-TKO boxing may prove to be a boon for the sport rather than a bane, as many currently suspect.

Do you expect more such partnerships to emerge in boxing in the coming months?