Turki Al-Alshikh has taken the world of boxing by storm since his plunge into the sport last year, crafting some of the most astonishing cards in recent memory seemingly at the wave of a hand. However, despite his eye-catching and apparent successful foray, Eddie Hearn is of the opinion that the Saudi investor has made two glaringly obvious mistakes.
Al-Alshikh has proven himself as a boxing fanatic who aims to revamp and arguable save the sport, taking an unexpected shine to below-the-radar talents such as Mark Chamberlain and Agit Kabayel as well as the household names that have headlined Saudi shows.
Although this weekend, Al-Alshikh will take his influence on tour for the first time as he hosts a bill in Los Angeles topped by the arguable pound-for-pound number one, Terence Crawford.
However, during the build-up to fight night, Eddie Hearn outlined his belief that Al-Alshikh’s apparent knowledge of the sweet science may have been misplaced whilst building this card, informing him of two ‘big mistakes.’
“You know your boxing, but you have made two big mistakes. Number one – Israil Madrimov, who is about to knock out Terence Crawford. Number two – it is not even my fighter but what are you doing putting Jared Anderson in with Martin Bakole? I know you love to make big fights [but this one is a mistake].”
Regardless of Hearn’s comments, Al-Alshikh remained confident in both Crawford and Anderson, in spite of the fact that this is the unified welterweight champion’s first fight in over 12 months and that Anderson has underwhelmed and lost momentum in his last three contests – the last of which was a particularly dull affair against Ryad Merhy.
“No, [I am not scared]. Crawford will eat your fighter by the eighth round, maximum. Jared, in the fifth/sixth round, he will be victorious.”
Both of these bouts come with enormous intrigue and are sure to catch the attention of fans around the globe, yet it is the strength of the remainder of the card that makes this fight night stand out as one of the strongest to ever take place on U.S. shores.
Isaac Cruz will make a first defence of his WBA super-lightweight title when he goes toe-to-toe with fellow Mexican Jose Valenzuela, whilst David Morrell faces Radivoje Kalajdzic on his light-heavyweight debut for what will be a third world title clash on the card – the WBA Regular 175lb strap being up for grabs.
Additionally, former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz fights for just the third time since losing the belts to Anthony Joshua in 2019, he takes on the often-controversial Jarrell Miller in an all-or-nothing affair for both men.
This comes after the return of highly-rated amateur Andy Ruiz, who continues his impressive start to life in the professional ranks with a showdown against Antonio Moran for the IBF International lightweight title in just his fourth outing.
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