Simon Jordan tells Eddie Hearn Saudi boxing chiefs can 'turn your lights out' in debate over future of the sport

03/09/2024 12:31

Simon Jordan has suggested to Eddie Hearn could lose his role in boxing in the future.

Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh has helped revolutionise the sport alongside Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn and Queensberry’s Frank Warren, which has seen some huge events staged.

Alalshikh yesterday questioned the number of belts and current infrastructure of boxing, and confirmed his intentions to merge the sport and produce a ‘super league’ which could be worth up to $4 billion.

On talkSPORT’s White & Jordan, the latter questioned what the Saudi’s involvement in the sport would mean for the current promotional stables.

“When you replace the establishment you become the establishment,” Jordan told Hearn on their talkSPORT show when he appeared in the studio.

“We are in a unique period, these guys are getting these fights made for them. They just turn up and that t me is not much of a skillset.

“It does make me wonder if the end goal is if the Saudis say ‘what do we need these guys for? They are glorified agents, we can own the fighters.’

“Unless there was a bloody good reason, why would I deal with Hearn and [Frank] Warren. If I’ve got the ability to turn out their lights economically what do I need them for?”

Hearn responded: “I think that is a little bit harsh. We have got a huge business of running global sports.

“The ability runs deeper than being a glorified agent and a deal maker. A few weeks ago we ran the Riyadh Season USA, with a Matchroom team of 40 people.

“It was an event that couldn’t have been done without us in terms of promoting, the infrastructure of TV deals, licensing, dealing with commission, local governments and council.

“The job is just incredible and as the size of the shows increase and the job changes. This isn’t a situation of going in and doing a deal and taking a cut.

“Ourselves and Queensberry do a huge amount of work and the requirement of these people and that Turki Alalshikh requires, it is not easy to do it yourself.”

Hearn has been heavily involved with recent shows, which included the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5 vs 5 card back in June, and Anthony Joshua’s upcoming clash with Daniel Dubois.

Both stables have significant teams, and Hearn believes, along with Alalshikh’s approval, that these are as necessary as ever to fulfil obligations moving forward.

“He also acknowledges he wants the ecosystem of boxing to keep it thriving. Riyadh Season will not on it’s own keep boxing alive.

“There are hundreds of shows around the world every week, small hall etc, we can’t just rely on five or six Riyadh Season events.

“But yeah there has been an explosion of boxing, but he can’t live without our stable and Frank Warren’s stable.

“At the moment I think the relationship is great and I don’t think he wants to put everyone out of business.”

Alalshikh has confirmed his talks have already began with promoters globally, which could include Bob Arum‘s Top Rank, Ben Shalom’s BOXXER and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions over a potential merger.

It remains to be seen if a deal can be pushed through but Hearn has confirmed these talks over its structure and how it could take shape are underway.

“There is a huge amount of work to take place,” Hearn added.

“But of course we are in those conversations with him, it is all part of the strategy and plans that are being discussed.

“Don’t forget these kinds of plans have taken place before, but not necessarily with the depths of budges that have taken place before, but we are all in for it.”