Turki Alalshikh has a few deal breakers when it comes to doing business with him and Riyadh Season. If a fighter and their team disrespects him, his country, or religion, he will cease working with them.
If you need any proof, look no further than Alalshikh’s current stance against Floyd Schofield Jr. and Teofimo Lopez.
Alalshikh was a guest on Tha Boxing Voice’s podcast on Thursday, and the boxing powerbroker made it clear he doesn’t want to work with Schofield or Lopez anymore after the negativity that spewed from the fighters—or in Schofield’s case, his father.
Alalshikh was asked what Schofield’s status was with him.
“Okay. But put yourself in my shoes,” Alalshikh replied. “This guy [Schofield Jr.]
pulled out 36 hours before a big fight with Shakur [Stevenson]—for good money. And when I say ‘good money,’ I mean good money. Then his father goes to the media, saying untrue things about us and our country. And after that, he takes a basic fight for 10% of what we offered him. You think this guy deserves another chance?”
Schofield’s publicized stint in the hospital after falling ill was mentioned, but Alalshikh didn’t budge. He further detailed the severed relationship.
“If I were someone who didn’t care about boxing, I would have told Shakur, ‘Thank you, goodbye,’” Alalshikh said. “Here’s $50,000 for your camp.” But I brought in another fighter for Shakur on just 36 hours’ notice. If Schofield was really in the hospital, okay, I believe him. But why did his father go to the media and lie about us, about how we handled everything? None of what they said was true. We have the emails, the WhatsApp messages—he thanked us. Everything. Look, this is the problem: if you treat us like regular promoters—lying, using bad language—then you’re making a mistake. We are different. We respect you. You respect us. We don’t do this for money. I’m not losing money if he’s not on my card. Maybe other promoters tolerate behavior like that to benefit from certain fighters. Not me. I don’t care. Respect me—you’ll get my full support. Disrespect me—and I’ll move on, and you’ll be the one chasing me.”
In February, Schofield was scheduled to face Stevenson. However, after falling ill, he was removed from the fight and replaced by Josh Padley. Stevenson won the fight by unanimous decision, and Schofield was blasted in the media.
Schofield Sr. said his son was poisoned and that led to his illness.
Alalshikh took exception, and the relationship has been damaged. Schofield isn’t the only one. Alalshikh was also asked about his relationship with Lopez, who just fought on a Riyadh Season show in May.
“Let me tell you something,” Alalshikh said. “I don’t want to go into exact numbers or contract details. But here’s what I’ll say—if you don’t respect my country or my religion, you will not do business with me.”
Alalshikh was also asked if he’d have anything to do with Lopez’s rumored bout against Richardson Hitchins.
“I will not be involved in that fight.”
Alalshikh is likely referring to a short video Lopez posted, in which he insulted his country and religion.
Lopez has made a habit of making racist remarks, and apparently, someone with power and influence is holding him accountable.
Lopez has made a habit of making racist remarks and apparently, someone with power and influence is holding him accountable.
Alalshikh has turned the sport of boxing on its ear with massive financial support that has produced dream fights. He recently announced all Riyadh Season fights would be available to any DAZN subscribers for no extra charge moving forward.
Because of his matchmaking and fan-friendly moves, he’s able to put fighters on a bit of an island away from the fights that will pay them top dollar. Lopez and Schofield appear to be two of the biggest examples.
