Turki Alalshikh has been accused of creating conflict across boxing before positioning himself as the man who can bring peace to the sport.
The claim came from talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan, who argued that the Saudi powerbroker has fueled divisions within boxing before offering himself as the solution through his proposed promoter peace summit.
Jordan made the comments while discussing where a potential Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight should take place.
“The size of this fight is artificially inflated by one man’s wish,” Jordan said.
“So if his wish, his predominant wish, his ultimate wish, is to have it in the UK, then the difference between the 10 or 15 or 20 million he might get extra as a result of having it at 2:00 in the morning is not the determining factor.
“He wants it in the US, in my view, because he’s got an investment in a US business. He’s got an investment in TKO and Zuffa that suits him.”
Jordan’s Accusation
Jordan then widened the discussion beyond Fury and Joshua, explaining why he believes Alalshikh has become boxing’s self-appointed peacemaker.
“What Turki does is he creates disruption and then comes along and says, ‘I’ll provide the solution,’ in the same way that he’s called this ridiculous peace summit between all the promoters that are apparently arguing with themselves.
“The arguments that he’s creating, by the way.
“And then he acts as the peacemaker.
“It’s brilliant for him.”
Jordan was referring to Alalshikh’s proposal to bring together Dana White, Nick Khan, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Oscar De La Hoya and DAZN executives for a summit aimed at easing tensions between boxing’s leading promoters and broadcasters.
The Saudi chairman previously said he hoped boxing fans would see “the white smoke rise from the chimney” if the meeting proved successful.
Alalshikh was later photographed alongside several of boxing’s leading figures, including Nick Khan, but months later the divisions Jordan referred to remain unresolved.
Promoter Peace Summit
Jordan’s latest comments also build on observations he made earlier this year, when he questioned whether traditional promoters would eventually become unnecessary if the money, matchmaking and decision-making power continued moving toward Saudi Arabia.
Whether Jordan’s assessment proves accurate remains open to debate, but his latest remarks reflect the growing scrutiny surrounding Alalshikh’s influence over boxing’s biggest decisions.
Despite the criticism, Jordan stressed that the biggest priority is finally getting Fury and Joshua into the ring, regardless of where the fight takes place.
“I look at it and say the fight happens is the most important thing.
“The location is probably secondary.”
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
