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It's truly incredible how much of a power player Turki Alalshikh has become in the world of boxing. Very few promoters have been able to wield power in the industry for the past couple of decades, but Alalshikh came in with a lot of money and a plan; and it's working.
Riyadh has become a boxing hub, with even Canelo Alvarez making it overseas. Now, Alalshikh is focused on delivering the "fight of the century" between Alvarez and Terence Crawford in Las Vegas. The Saudi Arabian has already branched into the United States, putting together an epic card in Times Square that featured Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez. Given that Alalshikh has worked with a ton of high-profile boxers, many have wondered if Shakur Stevenson is on his list.
Did Turki Alalshikh make a subtle dig at Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson?
But fans have read the tea leaves on one of the promoter's latest posts, and it may not be good news for neither Stevenson or Haney. Alalshikh made it clear that he doesn't want to work with boxers who aren't going to actively throw hands.
Alalshikh was more than likely referring to Canelo's previous fight, which was an extremely boring affair. Opponent William Scull bounced around the ring for 12 rounds, forcing Alvarez to chase him, but the Mexican superstar wasn't too interested in playing into his game. Despite Scull being the target for Alalshikh's comment, that didn't stop fans from wondering if it was also directed at Haney and Stevenson.
Both boxers have beenheavily criticized for not putting pressure on opponents. They are defensive fighters who prefer to win with strategy, avoiding damage and delivering timely punches when the opportunity arises. Their performances haven't sat well with fans, which could affect future revenue, especially if Alalshikh phases them out.