Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia among 16 boxers in ‘advanced negotiations’ over next fights
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with 16 major players from the boxing world. The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has vowed to deliver the ‘biggest schedule in boxing history’ this year. GettyJoshua is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Alalshikh[/caption] And the seemingly endless list of fighters he is in talks with suggests 2025 will live up to the billing. Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Anthony Joshua, Naoya Inoue and Ryan Garcia are the highest-profile names on the list. But the star power doesn’t stop there. Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez, Jai Opetaia, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, William Zepeda, Martin Bakole and Devin Haney are also close to agreeing a deal. The expectation is that Garcia and Haney will rematch this year following their controversial inaugural encounter that saw the initial unanimous decision victory for ‘King Ry’ get overturned to a no contest after he failed two drug tests taken around the fight. Esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael reports that both camps have received non-binding deal memos outlining the parameters of a two-fight deal. Both bouts are set to take place in the United States. The first contest is pencilled in for the spring and it will be followed by a fall sequel. However, drug testing and lawsuits are impediments. Garcia missed the 140lbs (super lightweight) limit last time out by 3.2lbs. 16 fighters Turki Alalshikh is in negotiations with Canelo AlvarezAnthony JoshuaTerence CrawfordNaoya InoueRyan GarciaDevin HaneyShakur StevensonTeofimo LopezJai OpetaiaChris Eubank JrConor BennIsaac ‘Pitbull’ CruzWilliam ZepedaMartin BakoleAnthony YardeAdam Azim Therefore, the expectation is that their next meeting will be at 147lbs (welterweight) providing everything goes to plan. Across the pond, Joshua isn’t the only Brit thrashing out a deal with Alalshikh. Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn, Adam Azim, Anthony Yarde and Scotland-based Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole are also talking to the boxing mogul. It has since been confirmed that Eubank Jr vs Benn has been signed and sealed for April. An announcement is due this week, disclosing the exact date and location. But according to reports, they will box at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26. Haneyvs Garcia II is in the works for the springGetty Confirming the news on talkSPORT Breakfast this morning Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn said: “It’s going to be in April. “There will be an official announcement in the next few days. “It was signed very late last night with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. “It will be in the UK. I will say that there are a lot of people obviously talking about big fights moving to Saudi. “This is the biggest fight in British boxing, and it will take place in a stadium in the UK. “So watch this space. Full announcement soon, and so happy to get this over the line.” Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with 16 major players from the boxing world.
The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has vowed to deliver the ‘biggest schedule in boxing history’ this year.
And the seemingly endless list of fighters he is in talks with suggests 2025 will live up to the billing.
Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Anthony Joshua, Naoya Inoue and Ryan Garcia are the highest-profile names on the list.
But the star power doesn’t stop there.
Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez, Jai Opetaia, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, William Zepeda, Martin Bakole and Devin Haney are also close to agreeing a deal.
The expectation is that Garcia and Haney will rematch this year following their controversial inaugural encounter that saw the initial unanimous decision victory for ‘King Ry’ get overturned to a no contest after he failed two drug tests taken around the fight.
Esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael reports that both camps have received non-binding deal memos outlining the parameters of a two-fight deal.
Both bouts are set to take place in the United States.
The first contest is pencilled in for the spring and it will be followed by a fall sequel.
However, drug testing and lawsuits are impediments.
Garcia missed the 140lbs (super lightweight) limit last time out by 3.2lbs.
16 fighters Turki Alalshikh is in negotiations with
Canelo Alvarez
Anthony Joshua
Terence Crawford
Naoya Inoue
Ryan Garcia
Devin Haney
Shakur Stevenson
Teofimo Lopez
Jai Opetaia
Chris Eubank Jr
Conor Benn
Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz
William Zepeda
Martin Bakole
Anthony Yarde
Adam Azim
Therefore, the expectation is that their next meeting will be at 147lbs (welterweight) providing everything goes to plan.
Across the pond, Joshua isn’t the only Brit thrashing out a deal with Alalshikh.
Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn, Adam Azim, Anthony Yarde and Scotland-based Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole are also talking to the boxing mogul.
It has since been confirmed that Eubank Jr vs Benn has been signed and sealed for April.
An announcement is due this week, disclosing the exact date and location.
But according to reports, they will box at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26.
Confirming the news on talkSPORT Breakfast this morning Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn said: “It’s going to be in April.
“There will be an official announcement in the next few days.
“It was signed very late last night with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.
“It will be in the UK. I will say that there are a lot of people obviously talking about big fights moving to Saudi.
“This is the biggest fight in British boxing, and it will take place in a stadium in the UK.
“So watch this space. Full announcement soon, and so happy to get this over the line.”
