Fight organizer Turki Alalshikh and the great nation of Saudi Arabia have been a breadth of fresh air to not only boxing but worldwide professional sport in recent times.
The sheer quality, focus and professionalism in everything last weekend spoke for itself. Very impressive again for boxing worldwide.
Champion Usyk won a unanimous points decision over Tyson Fury to retain his heavyweight titles and a short time ago fight organizer and adviser Turki Alalshikh posted on X the following feedback on the whole thing:
“I needed time to realize what happened last night and I will speak from my heart as a fan not as a person from Riyadh season team … in the fight between Usyk and Tyson , I counted that Usyk has 4 rounds more … that does not mean Tyson was performing bad no no no he gave us everything but let’s be honest Usyk one of the greatest boxers in this generation and he proved it with big names … and Tyson have a part in my heart and he is one of the important reasons that boxing is still keeping its legacy… after the fight I heard great words from the champion Usyk about Riyadh and my country , my leaders , the crown prince god bless him and the Saudi people , ok it’s business of course but they are from inside their heart appreciate the opportunity and the support … I look to the fighters as brothers and members of the family … Usyk told me he is ready to do any fight in the future , we agreed he rest for now and nothing before the result between Dubois and Parker … and about Tyson I am waiting after he rest and take time his decision and I will understand if he retires if not I will be glad to do fights with him … and about some results yesterday I think Itauma has great potential in the future and I hope to see him the youngest heavyweight champion of the world … the fight between Fisher and Allen I counted differently and it’s my own opinion shouldn’t be considered as judgment… there is something personal I would like to say … I am planning to do Ring Magazine card in London and USA to promote the magazine and u could watch it when u subscribe to the magazine… I say it’s personal because i own it my self as Turki and its not related to Riyadh season. I hope you enjoyed last night event and I am excited to the card in Feb. ( The Fans are in my heart)”
The genuine, candid feedback above is good, very transparent and upright, forthright and sincere.
The balance appears to be getting better and better all the time with a focus on improvement in all aspects of these big boxing events taking place under the premise that the best fighters are now fighting the best — which is the main driver of everything.
That’s why boxing is growing and will grow worldwide in the years ahead.
As for the winner, Usyk has good humility as a champion too and is a genuine professional sportsman — and now not only is big in all the Eastern European countries but big in the West — and getting bigger in the rest of the East too.
What Usyk has been able to do in boxing and outside of it, now, with the way he has travelled to so many countries beating everyone and different cultures within those countries, in the East and West, and win all the belts and all the titles beating all the best fighters from from around the world becoming undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion, and, what’s more, in doing so many times on their home soil — truly makes him a world heavyweight champion.
Ukraine and worldwide boxing are not only lucky to have Usyk — all of sport and all of the planet is.
History will show as much over time.
