“Without Saudi, Boxing Is Dead”: Tyson Fury Credits His Comeback to HE Turki Alalshikh, Lauds His Contribution to the Sport

Boxing has greatly benefitted from Saudi Arabia’s involvement with the sport. While Riyadh Season has staged Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, boxing fans look forward to seeing Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, and Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev in Saudi Arabia this year. In addition to promoting the sport on a global scale, with some of the biggest events in history, Saudi Arabia’s involvement has proved financially lucrative for the boxers involved too.

On that note, in his latest interview with The Stomping Ground, the WBC Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury praised His ExcellencyTurki Alalshikh and other Saudis who brought back excitement and significant viewership to the sport. Here is what ‘The Gypsy King’ said ahead of his upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk on May 18th.

Tyson Fury wouldn’t be boxing if it wasn’t for Turki Alalshikh

In November last year, in an interview with Boxing Social, Tyson Fury’s manager Spencer Brown expressed his pleasure in doing business with HE Alalshikh. With His Excellency, Brown claimed it was “easy” to make arrangements for the undisputed bout. In his own words, HE Turki Alalshikh “put the bullets in the gun” for Brown to fire it. In this connection, Fury was asked if he was surprised by how things materialized with the Saudis.

“I’m not surprised. Boxing was dead until the Saudis came in. I think I had the last big fight in Wembley with Dillian Whyte. And had the other one with Chisora. But since then, I think boxing’s been dead. Without Saudi, boxing is dead. That’s a fact,” Tyson Fury told The Stomping Ground. Additionally, Fury thanked HE Alalshikh for putting him on the “big shows.”

“I wouldn’t be even boxing anymore if Turki Alalshikh did not bring me back and put me on the big shows. It’s a breath of fresh air that you’ve got somebody like these Saudis who want to publicize boxing and make it big, you know,” added Fury who will resume his training for Usyk next week.

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Finally, ‘The Gypsy King’ acknowledged that the Saudis helped boxing gain spectators. In his opinion, while fights in Saudi Arabia help the boxers involved financially benefit, it also inspires a new generation to take up the sport. “More eyes on the game. And look all the superstars coming over, they’re bringing everybody over to the fight. So, it’s fantastic for boxing,” concluded Fury. With that said, what do you think of the contribution boxing received from the Saudis? How significant role do you think HE Alalshikh has played in Fury’s career? Let us know in the comments below.

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