His Excellency Turki Alalshikh studies the pay-per-view worth for the February twenty second Riyadh Season card is nineteen.99 within the UK and $25.99 within the U.S. and “the remainder of the world.” It’s an impressive worth for the six fights that had been introduced immediately on the cardboard
Cut price PPV
All 5 undercard fights may headline their playing cards, and, amazingly, these matches are listed beneath. The principle occasion for the February twenty second card is the rematch between undisputed mild heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and former WBA champ Dmitry Bivol. The mixture of PPV worth and the good fights on the cardboard makes it interesting. I can’t keep in mind seeing a card this stacked in a few years.
There was some grumbling from followers and Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, in regards to the end result of the primary combat with Beterbiev on October twelfth. So, there might be a rematch to settle it.
Bivol seemed like he didn’t need to be there after the seventh spherical and was in survival mode. He deserved the loss 100%, and Beterbiev will make sure that Bivol’s followers don’t have something to yak about afterward.
The undercard has two excellent fights that followers will focus on throughout the build-up. They’re as follows:
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov
The Ortiz Jr.-Madrimov combat is tentative as a result of it requires that Madrimov come by means of his December twenty first contest in opposition to Serghii Bohachuk with out struggling a loss or getting injured. Promoter Tom Loeffler sees it as “dangerous karma” to have Madrimov scheduled to combat Vergil Ortiz Jr. on February twenty second when he’s received a tough combat in opposition to Bohachuk this month.
“Dangerous Karma to submit this. Bohachuk has over 90% KO ratio, knocked Vergil down twice. He’s going for the KO in opposition to Madrimov on Dec 21, so there is no such thing as a extra humorous enterprise with the judges,” stated Tom Loeffler on X.
We are going to make PPV worth not more than 19.99 GBP in UK, and in USA and the remainder of the world no more than 25.99 USD 🔥🥊 (We would like the followers be completely satisfied and luxuriate in it…Lets get boxing nice once more 💪🏻) pic.twitter.com/Y2SqdJqENb
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) December 3, 2024
No Gimmes
“He has deep pockets, and they’re paying the fighters some huge cash,” stated commentator Ade Aladipo to talkSport Boxing about His Excellency Turki Alalshikh placing collectively the February twenty second card.
“Up to now, fighters would say, ‘I’m not doing that combat as a result of I’m not getting paid sufficient.’ They virtually can’t flip down these fights now. It’s much more than what they’re used to getting paid. Plus, he’s received the broadcasters and promoters working with one another proper now.
“This may have been virtually inconceivable to place this card collectively with out deep pockets. They’re all huge, necessary fights. There aren’t any gimmes. Many of the fights down the cardboard are 50-50.
Earlier than Turki Alalahikh received concerned in boxing, lots of the final 5 years’ combat playing cards had been horrible and getting worse. For followers who remembered the good playing cards within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, that they had change into disillusioned with the game.
Many followers had stopped following boxing because of the lackluster occasions, which had been loaded with mismatches purposefully put collectively by promoters to promote a foul product. That also goes on, clearly, however no less than there’s Turki, who’s placing collectively nice fights.
“The primary combat will in all probability be Zhilei Zhang in opposition to Agit Kabayel. You’re speaking two top-six heavyweights strolling first. That’s usually a six-rounder or eight-rounder,” stated Ade in regards to the February twenty second card.
“Nah, it’s received to be Beterbiev in opposition to Bivol. You’re speaking about two of the very best mild heavyweights of all time. The primary combat was so good. All of the belts, each single belt within the division,” stated Ade when requested if the Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker combat ought to be the headliner on the February twenty second card.
“Dubois’ rise within the final yr has been nice. He’ll be co-main occasion, however even he is aware of the 2 greatest on the earth must go first. Beterbiev is pound-for-pound #5. Bivol #6. These are two of the very best. They must go first,” stated Ade.
