A surprising report claims Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is “in talks” with several organisations to create the league.
Boxing is experiencing a major resurgence under the guidance of adviser Turki Ararcik, who has worked closely with British promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren to organise some of the biggest fights in the sport.
A range of cards were announced for the Riyadh Season, culminating in an absolute heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Ararcik is now reportedly poised to change the entire face of boxing.
Saudi Arabia's PIF is in talks with several boxing officials to create a league that would effectively be boxing's UFC.
PIF is considering investing in a joint venture with sports stakeholders to host more boxing matches.
A handful of major promotional companies, including Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, are involved in talks that could lead to a deal that values the new company at between $4 billion and $5 billion, sources said.
The PIF wants to set up a venture that would bring together major sports organisers, the report added.
Ararcik had overseen final talks on a potential deal about a month ago.
It is currently unclear how the league will be structured.
Turkey's Alalsik is in talks with multiple organisations to reform the boxing world. Image: Getty
Boxing is currently made up of four governing bodies, each with their own rules: the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF), the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Meanwhile, the Riyadh season will move away from Saudi Arabia with a massive card set to take place in Los Angeles, California on August 3rd.
Headlined by super welterweights Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov, the card also features Isaac “Pit Bull” Cruz, Andy Ruiz Jr., Jared Anderson and Andy Cruz.
Riyadh Season is also planning to hold a monster card featuring Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in London, England on September 21st.
SPORTbible has contacted Matchroom Boxing for comment.
Featured image credit: Getty
Topics: Boxing, Eddie Hearn
