Turki Alalshikh and TKO have signed a multi-year partnership to establish a new boxing promotion with executive leadership anchored by UFC President Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan.
The announcement of a new boxing promotion comes not long after Alalshikh and Mauricio Sulaiman announced the WBC Grand Prix Boxing tournament, due to start very soon.
The new promotion will feature:
· A highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies
· Access for all boxers to the UFC Performance Institute, the world’s leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation, and nutrition centre
· TKO’s production, media, and promotional expertise, to deliver both in-arena experiences and top-tier, state-of-the-art broadcasts to fans around the world
A statement read, “HE Turki Alalshikh, together with TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (TKO) (NYSE: TKO), a global leader in sports and entertainment, and Sela, a leading entertainment conglomerate, have today announced a multi-year partnership to establish a new boxing promotion that will provide a premier platform for both leading boxers and prospects in the sport.”
HE Turki Alalshikh said, “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans. Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”
TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro commented on the news with the following statement: “This is a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally. TKO has the deep expertise, promotional prowess, and longstanding relationships. HE Turki Alalshikh and Sela share our passion and vision for evolving the current model. Together, we can bring the sweet science back to its rightful place in the forefront of the global sports ecosystem.”
TKO stated that the new promotion would feature, “a highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies. access for all boxers to the UFC Performance Institute, the world’s leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation, and nutrition center, featuring locations in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai. TKO’s production, media, and promotional expertise, to deliver both in-arena experiences and top-tier, state-of-the-art broadcasts to fans around the world.”
Dana White commented on the news on social media: “Once somebody holds that belt, you don’t need 3 letters in front of the belt. Whoever has that belt is the best in the world in that weight class”.
Further details about the new boxing promotion, including fighter signings, fight schedules, venues, and host locations, will be revealed in the coming months.