Featured Image Credit: The Ring
Topics: Boxing, Muhammad Ali
Nasir Jabbar
Turki Alalshikh stunned boxing fans with his comment about black boxers during a podcast appearance ahead of last Friday's Times Square event.
The Ring Magazine held back-to-back events last week, including an unprecedented card from New York City's Times Square.
Rolly Romero produced a huge upset to score a victory over Ryan Garcia in the main-event, while Devin Haney outpointed Jose Ramirez and Teofimo Lopez beat Arnold Barboza Jr..
Advert
Before the event kicked off, Alalshikh joined Pat McAfee and ex-WWE star Booker T for a preview live from New York City ahead of the show.
The Saudi chief was asked about the state of boxing to which he replied by saying the sport would be in a different place if there was a black world heavyweight champion boxer.
He said: "It’s not just us - I’m collaborating with all promoters. Right now, we’re launching major companies, a league together with Dana White - TKO, Nick Khan, all of them. It’s something incredible. I think it’ll launch either at the end of this year or early next - Dana has all the details. It’s going to open doors for the younger generation, giving them a chance to become professional fighters."
Advert
Alalshikh added: "Now, I don’t usually talk about religion or skin color, but if we’re going to talk honestly - I think boxing would be in a very different place today if we had a black heavyweight champion.
"Look at the 60s and 70s - it was the era of Muhammad Ali. There were three or four heavyweight legends at the same time.
"Right now, many talented athletes go into the NFL or NBA. Boxing is often their last option - no money, no future, and high risks.
"We want to change that. There’s no unified organisation, no central commission."
Needless to say, Alalshikh's comments about a black boxer got fans online talking.
One X user wrote: "Boxing is better when we have BLACK heavyweight champion…..how can you hate this man!!!"
Advert
A second said: "He is clearly talking about champion like Muhammad Ali and Tyson level or nearly to them."
A third added: "Turki loves the sport."
As Alalshikh alluded to, he's teamed with up UFC CEO Dana White to form a new boxing promotion, which will be tasked with developing new stars.
The blockbuster clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is set to be TKO Boxing's first foray into the sport.