Key influencer from Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, known for his central role in bringing significant boxing bouts to the Gulf State, has dropped hints of a potential larger-than-life event unfolding at Wembley later in the year. Turki Alalshikh, who has often been sighted at the ring side during major fights, is a name well-familiar within the boxing community and often mentioned post high-profile matches.
His impressive list of notable contributions to the sport include arranging major fights such as Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua vs. Ngannou in the Middle East, as well as the much anticipated undisputed heavyweight showdown between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk slated for May 18. His focus, now, appears to have branched out and London could potentially host a night of keenly contested fights.
Alalshikh mentioned that he is in consultation with Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn on staging an impactful event at Wembley in the third quarter, which would serve as a promotional event for Riyadh Season. This allusion to a major event follows Eddie Hearn’s disclosure last week that Joshua and Fury might ink a deal for two fights, with one likely to take place at Wembley Stadium.
Earlier this month, Joshua bested Ngannou in under two rounds on Saudi turf, making it the third fight in his last five in the Middle Eastern country. If Fury scores a victory over Usyk, he might face Joshua in an epic battle of the Brits.
As Hearn commented during The Sports Agents podcast, Alalshikh not only holds a commanding position in Saudi sports and entertainment, he is also a fervent supporter of boxing. Surprisingly, he is contemplating organizing two Fury vs. AJ fights – one in Saudi Arabia and another at Wembley Stadium.
Both Joshua and Fury have had historic wins at Wembley, and the venue seems fitting for another high-stake clash. In 2017, AJ triumphed over Wladimir Klitschko amidst an audience of 90,000 at Wembley, and came back the following year to defeat Russia’s Alexander Povetkin in the 7th round. Likewise, Fury recorded a win at the same venue in his bout against Dillian Whyte in 2022.
