Is Boxing’s Lightweight Division Cursed? Should HE Turki Alalshikh Step In To Preserve the Stardom of 135-Pound Weight Class?

Where does the axis of boxing lie? The answer would have been lightweight division a year ago. The division was brimming with the talents of Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Moreover, the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko also continued to pose a serious threat. However, it all changed, and the division fell into an abyss of non-relevancy. Meanwhile, the boxing world is turning around on its head, with Saudi Arabia and HE Turki Alalshikh slowly dislodging Las Vegas as its Mecca. It’s all that the lightweight division needs right now.

Ever since ‘The Dream’ and ‘KingRy’ decided to carve a name for themselves at 140 pounds, the lightweight division lay barren. The division steadily descended into chaos. What’s worse, the division has been left with no name to crown its kingpin.

The conundrum at 135: Veterans and young prospects with no enforcer

There is no exciting crop of fighters at 135. After Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia ventured out at super lightweight, the division had no enforcer to bind them. With two titles still up for grabs and Lomachenko fighting George Kambosos Jr. for the IBF strap, the division might never see a unified or unanimous champion for a considerable time.

Both Kambosos Jr. and Lomachenko might have little to no desire to unify or fight against the other two champions, Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis. The only reason the boxing world is witnessing a surge of super fights is the influx of money and heavy paychecks that they receive fighting in the Middle East. HE Turki Alalshikh is the only one who could help ink deals that cut through champions’ and their pockets.

Additionally, you have Keyshawn Davis, who holds the key to the lightweight division’s future. He is the complete package of speed, power, defense, and high-IQ boxing. With Haney and Garcia departing, the crown is up for grabs for him. But he needs to tie the champions down, and there is no better than HE Turki Alalshikh. However, the Saudi adviser has his work cut out.

The curious case of Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson and debacles

Where do you put ‘Tank’, who is always not-so-ready to jump into a fight demanded by fans? Similarly, where do you see ‘Sugar’s career headed after he produced a lackluster performance when he claimed the WBO title against Edwin De Los Santos?

Then you throw in the recent debacle of Garcia and his failed attempt to lock a deal with Haney, Rolando Romero, and Isaac Cruz. It sums up what is wrong with boxing currently. Boxers and promoters are not working in tandem, and boxers are not ready to put on shows for the fans. In addition, the promoters trying to protect their cash cows also don’t help the cause.

Watch This Story: Five Potential Opponents for Shakur Stevenson after Edwin De Los Santos Fight

With both Davis and Stevenson in the ranks, you could have exciting matchups. William Zepeda and Keyshawn Davis are waiting to have a scrap with the champions. HE Turki Alalshikh has put on events where he has pulled different promoters and promotions to the negotiation table. He can ensure the division sees the fights that fans are eager to witness, including Davis vs. Stevenson. How will he do that?

The allure of Gulf money and HE Turki Alalshikh’s desire to fix boxing

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol‘s unification bout and Tyson Fury finally accepting the Russian task from Oleksandr Usyk are all the indications you need. Gulf money has swayed boxers and promoters alike. The effects of the same will be seen in the lightweight division if HE Turki Alalshikh has his way. He is gradually erasing boxing politics and can make up fights he likes and the fans demand.

The 42-year-old has already expressed his desire to fix boxing and take it back to its glorious days in the 1970s and 1980s. Also, he has specified his interest in setting up Davis vs. Haney, and that could be the start of a new beginning in the lightweight division and soon affect Stevenson and other fighters at 135 pounds. Otherwise, it’s hard to witness the resurgence of the division in the foreseen future.

Read More: Keyshawn Davis Reveals the No. 1 Reason 90% of Boxers Go Broke as He Makes His Case for Why Fighting His “Brother” Shakur Stevenson Doesn’t Makes Sense

What do you make of the current situation of lightweight division? Do you think Saudi money will fix the division? Let us know in the comments below.