Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, is looking to make an undisputed light heavyweight fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
Alalshikh’s vision for boxing has been there for all to see. The undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been agreed for February 17th, 2024, after months of difficult negotiations. Despite the attempts to make the fight at Wembley in April, talks broke down before Saudi Arabia secured the fight.
Prior to that happening, the Kingdom put on a crossover fight between Fury and Francis Ngannou, which was more than competitive. That has been followed up by a big card in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd, 2023, featuring Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Bivol himself. The latter will face Lyndon Arthur as he defends his WBA belt following his win over Zurdo Ramirez last year. And provided that Bivol comes through, the focus is to put on an undisputed fight.
‼️ His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has named Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight world titles as one of the fights he wants to see as part of Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/w5izrmTtVu
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 15, 2023
The fight would be a major coup for Saudi Arabia, given the difficulties that were involved in making the undisputed fight. The WBC’s stance on banning Russian fighters from competing for their belt due to the war with Ukraine had hindered Bivol’s attempts to secure the undisputed fight. But if Turki Alalshikh can navigate those issues to put on another mega event, then boxing fans will be in for a treat.
Reaction
Thats gotta be one of the best fights about
— Grant Dudley (@Dud3rz) November 15, 2023
This is the fight we all want to see !
— Mali (@SamaliTimi) November 15, 2023
Saudi Arabia is saving boxing
— Bhavik Upadhyaya (@BhavikUpadhya14) November 15, 2023