The network of boxers working with Turki Alalshikh is expanding at a steady pace.
On Tuesday, January 14, Ring Magazine, owned by Alalshikh, reported that the Saudi Arabian boxing powerbroker was in advanced talks and finalizing fight deals with 16 of the biggest names in boxing—including Canelo Alvarez.
Here is a look at the names:
Canelo Alvarez
Anthony Joshua
Terence Crawford
Naoya Inoue
Ryan Garcia
Shakur Stevenson
Teofimo Lopez
Jai Opetaia
Chris Eubank Jr
Conor Benn
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz
William Zepeda
Martin Bakole
Anthony Yarde
Adam Azim
The upcoming fight deals and cards will kick off a collaboration with the SNK fighting video game Fatal Fury: City of Wolves.
While specific matchups weren’t identified for all 16, Alalshikh took to social media shortly after the report to confirm that the long-awaited grudge match between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. is finally set for April in London.
There is also rising speculation that a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is already set for September. Canelo is expected to face William Scull in May. If Canelo wins as expected, he would then face Crawford in a massive pay-per-view fight.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Canelo Alvarez at the Ring Magazine Awards event at the Old Royal … [+]
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It’s unclear if Crawford will have a tune-up fight before making the jump up two weight classes to face Canelo.
Additionally, Devin Haney has dropped the lawsuit against Ryan Garcia to help facilitate a big-money rematch. Anthony Joshua has expressed his desire to fight Tyson Fury in 2025, but Fury announced his retirement.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Devin Haney arrives prior to the RING Magazine Awards at Old Royal … [+]
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Could Joshua’s next fight be against Martin Bakole, the power-punching Congolese heavyweight who upset Jared Anderson in 2024?
Naoya Inoue is set to fight Ye Joon Kim later this month, suggesting his inclusion on this list pertains to his next bout. The only remotely practical opponent on this list for him would be Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, but Cruz would need to drop to at least 130 pounds to make it a super featherweight clash.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Jai Opetaia arrives prior to the RING Magazine Awards at Old Royal … [+]
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Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight to challenge Oleksandr Usyk, but Anthony Yarde seems to be the only realistic opponent for him on this list. Yarde is a light heavyweight.
Many would prefer to see Opetaia take on Gilberto Ramirez in a unification bout.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Teofimo Lopez at the Ring Magazine Awards event at the Old Royal Naval … [+]
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Teofimo Lopez vs. Adam Azim seemingly makes sense, though Azim has a fight scheduled for February 1 against Sergey Lipinets. Lastly, the potential clash between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda has been discussed for nearly a year.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Shakur Stevenson arrives prior to the RING Magazine Awards at Old … [+]
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Stevenson will fight Floyd Schofield on February 22, but if he wins as expected, a meeting with Zepeda is logical for the third or fourth quarter of 2025.
Some of these speculative matchups will happen, and some won’t. In any case, it’s great to see so many fighters seemingly on track to participate in intriguing fights.
