Influencer Boxing may be a growing sector in the combat sports scene- but it soon may not have any place in Saudi Arabia.
In the past few years, boxing matches between social media influencers and/or YouTubers has been gaining center stage in the fight game. Influencers have a much larger audience than pro boxers in general, and with the likes of popular figures like Jake Paul, Logan Pauk, KSI etc entering into boxing, their fights have often turned out to be one of the biggest in the calendar year, even more PPV buys than fights between professional boxers.
While a chunk of fans feel its making the sport more popular worldwide, many others, on the contrary, still feel that influencer boxing is detrimental to the sport of the sweet science, and they look at it as gimmicky and causing the popularity of “real” boxing to decrease.
While influencer boxing is growing, boxing has seen another emerging entity among its venues: Saudi Arabia. The Middle Eastern country is becoming the most sought-after place after Las Vegas- and many predict that Riyadh, which has continuously hosted mega-blockbuster fights, might become the new “fight capital” of the world.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh doesn’t want influencer boxing in Saudi Arabia anymore
All that being said, a gap may always remain between influencer boxing and Saudi Arabia, as His Excellency Turki Alalshikh recently shared his opinion regarding influencer boxing. The Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment of Saudi Arabia has clearly stated to DAZN that fights between YouTubers will not take place in the country anymore.
Check out his statement below, courtesy of Michael Benson of talkSPORT on X.com.
“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has said he will not bring any more YouTube boxing to Saudi Arabia: “Please, we don’t want any YouTuber fights again. I want fighters, this is what I support. For me, inside my heart, I want the fighters.”
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has said he will not bring any more YouTube boxing to Saudi Arabia: “Please, we don't want any YouTuber fights again. I want fighters, this is what I support. For me, inside my heart, I want the fighters.” [@DAZNBoxing]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 17, 2024
“Cut them Paul brothers off”- fans react to Alalshikh’s statement regarding influencer boxing
His Excellency’s statement soon gathered many fans in the comment section of Benson, with much appraisal regarding his decision to not allow anymore influencer boxing in the country.
“Deserves two excellency’s in his name for that..” wrote @BoxingKingdom14.
Deserves two excellency’s in his name for that..
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) January 17, 2024
@_mikefromqueens commented, “Thank god, Cut them Paul brothers off”
Thank god, Cut them Paul brothers off
— GODS FAVORITE (@_mikefromqueens) January 17, 2024
@ewboxing added, “His Excellency is single-handedly saving boxing. I love it”
His Excellency is single-handedly saving boxing. I love it. 😆
— Houston Boxing Examiner (@ewboxing) January 17, 2024
“Agree @Turki_alalshikh no more YouTube amateur clown shows. Straight up best vs best & bringing through exciting new talent & prospects that have big star potential from all angles. Get that Saudi academy booming. Open an academy in every country. Talent will come to you,” stated @TheToriesOut.
Agree @Turki_alalshikh no more YouTube amateur clown shows. Straight up best vs best & bringing through exciting new talent & prospects that have big star potential from all angles. Get that Saudi academy booming. Open an academy in every country. Talent will come to you. 🫡🔥🔥
— The Tories Out (@TheToriesOut) January 17, 2024
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