Riyadh and Boxing

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has become the epicenter of international sports and entertainment, bringing the biggest events and superstars from the sports world to its lands.

These include major events like Formula 1, European Football Super Cups, and, of course, big World Boxing Council world title boxing shows.

As for sports personalities, footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have been present, drivers of the caliber of Max Verstappen and ‘Checo’ Pérez, as well as the great idols and world champions of the sweet science, namely Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury.

All of this has been possible thanks to what is known as “Riyadh Season”, which is simply a festival of entertainment and sports funded by the Saudi Arabian Kingdom’s Sovereign Fund and organized by the “General Entertainment Authority (GEA)”, the government agency in charge of the entertainment industry in that country.

Now, the “World Boxing Council”, in conjunction with promoter “Turki Al-Alshikh”, the current president of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, have created the “Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix”.

This tournament aims to crown the best fighters from 4 different divisions around the world, in a direct elimination format where participants must meet certain requirements.

This tournament project originated as an idea of “Don José Sulaimán”, Lifetime WBC President in 2012, which unfortunately he could not carry through. Now, his son, “Mauricio Sulaimán”, the WBC President has been able to realize that dream on Arab territory.

The first phase took place from April 17 to 20. Now we are heading towards the second stage, the “round of 16”, which will be held this “June 20 and 21” and will determine the 8 participants who will advance to the quarterfinals..