Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, is reportedly in discussions with key figures in the boxing world to create a brand new billion-dollar league. This move could significantly alter the professional boxing landscape.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that PIF is looking to establish a joint venture with established boxing stakeholders. This venture would see an increase in the number of boxing matches held. Leading promoters like Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions are said to be part of these talks, which could potentially lead to a new organization valued between $4 billion and $5 billion.
The PIF's foray into boxing aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, an ambitious program spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This program aims to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its dependence on oil. By investing heavily in sports and entertainment, the kingdom hopes to attract more tourists, bolster its private sector, and create new jobs.
Boxing is just the latest sport to capture the PIF's attention. The fund has already invested heavily in golf, Formula One, and football, acquiring stakes in relevant organizations and even luring superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to join the Saudi football league. There have also been reports that the PIF is considering involvement in the creation of a new cycling league.
If the boxing league talks come to fruition, it would represent a major shakeup for professional boxing. The sport has traditionally been fractured, with multiple sanctioning bodies and promotional outfits vying for dominance. A well-funded and centralized league could potentially streamline the sport, offering boxers a more structured career path and increased fight opportunities. However, there are also concerns that a Saudi-backed league could create a monopoly, stifle competition, and potentially overlook human rights issues associated with the country.
The details of how the proposed league would be structured remain unclear at this point. It is also not yet known how existing boxing champions and fighters would be integrated into the new system. Negotiations are reportedly still in their final stages, with Turki al-Sheikh, a close advisor to the Crown Prince and a prominent figure in Saudi sports, overseeing the discussions.
The potential arrival of a billion-dollar boxing league backed by Saudi Arabia's vast wealth has certainly generated a buzz in the boxing world. Whether this ambitious plan will ultimately reshape the sport or create new problems altogether remains to be seen.