One Year Later: The Boxing Grand Prix That Changed the Course of Boxing

One year ago, boxing took a historic step forward.

From April 17 to 20, 2025, at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, the Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix was born—a project that not only gathered talent, but ignited a new vision for the future of the sport.

With 128 fighters from 43 countries, the first-ever “World Cup” of boxing took shape under a single-elimination format, fulfilling a dream long driven by José Sulaimán and brought to life by his son, Mauricio Sulaimán.

But beyond the numbers, the Grand Prix became a platform—a global showcase for the next generation.

Europe led the way with the highest number of participating countries (17) and 43 fighters. The Americas, meanwhile, showed their depth with 45 representatives, the highest number among all continents. Asia, Africa, and Oceania also made their presence felt, confirming that boxing is, more than ever, a universal language.

Four divisions. 128 dreams. One goal.

From the opening bell, the tournament set itself apart: open scoring, no draws, instant replay, and adjustments designed to elevate boxing to a new level.

Every round was an opportunity. Every fight, a stage.

Today, one year later, the Boxing Grand Prix is remembered not just as an event, but as the starting point for new stories, new names, and new hopes.

Because if April 2025 proved anything, it’s that the future of boxing had already stepped into the ring.

The tournament was a resounding success, establishing itself as one of the most innovative initiatives in modern boxing. At the conclusion of the championship, the winners in each division; Brandon Mejía (featherweight), Carlos Utría (super lightweight), Dylan Biggs (middleweight), and Kevin Ramírez (heavyweight), not only lifted the trophy, but also emerged as new names to watch on the international stage, taking a firm step toward future WBC title opportunities.