Turki Alalshikh and TKO have signed a multi-year partnership to establish a brand-new boxing promotion, with executive leadership led by UFC president Dana White and WWE president Nick Khan.
The announcement of the new boxing promotion comes shortly after Alalshikh and Mauricio Sulaiman unveiled the WBC Grand Prix Boxing tournament, due to start later this year.
Per the press release, the new promotion will feature the following:
- A highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies.
- Access for all boxers to the UFC Performance Institute, the world’s leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation and nutrition centre.
- TKO’s production, media and promotional expertise to deliver both in-arena experiences and top-tier, state-of-the-art broadcasts to fans around the world.
A statement read, “HE Turki Alalshikh, together with TKO Group Holdings, Inc., a global leader in sports and entertainment, and Sela, a leading entertainment conglomerate, have today announced a multi-year partnership to establish a new boxing promotion that will provide a premier platform for both leading boxers and prospects in the sport.”
Alalshikh has already signed the likes of boxing superstars and undisputed champions Saul Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford and Dmitry Bivol.
HE Turki Alalshikh said, “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans. Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”
TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro also commented on the news.
“This is a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally,” Shapiro said. “TKO has the deep expertise, promotional prowess, and longstanding relationships. HE Turki Alalshikh and Sela share our passion and vision for evolving the current model. Together, we can bring the sweet science back to its rightful place in the forefront of the global sports ecosystem.”
Dana White posted this comment on X, seemingly about their plan to mimic the UFC where one champion rules the division: “Once somebody holds that belt, you don’t need 3 letters in front of the belt. Whoever has that belt is the best in the world in that weight class.”
Further details about the new boxing promotion, including fighter signings, fight schedules, venues and host locations, will be revealed in the coming months.
