Former two-division champion Tim Bradley believes that many of the biggest boxing fights now go ahead only if Saudi funding is involved. Bradley asserted that the promoters of the whole game rely on the financial support tied to the Saudi consultant Turki Alalshikh when trying to organize big events.
Bradley has criticized the direction of the sport and the way several of its major cards are financed. He pointed out that the promoters publicly complain about Saudi involvement while still placing fighters in those events if the bags are available. In Bradley’s view, the current business structure has created a situation where big fights are often dependent on foreign currency backing rather than boxing markets.
“Everyone in boxing needs Turki Alalshikh because there will be big fights,” said Bradley on his station. “Turki Alalshikh pays all your money.”
Bradley made the comments on his YouTube channel while discussing the current state of business in boxing and the growing influence of Saudi-backed events.
Saudi cards have staged several of the sport’s most high-profile fights in the past two years, particularly in Riyadh, where events funded by Saudi Investments have brought together fighters from competing promotional companies. Those games often require collaboration between developers who often work in different markets in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Bradley pointed out that the financial support from Saudi Arabia has been the main reason for this cooperation. According to Bradley, many promoters put fighters on Saudi cards because the purses offered there exceed what most boxing events currently generate.
“They may complain about him, but they need him,” Bradley said when discussing the matter.
Bradley also suggested that the financial power of these events has changed the way fights are organized at the top level of the sport. In his opinion, the promoters work together regularly on the Saudi cards because the funding available allows for arrangements that may be difficult to reach a financial agreement.
The former champion boxer made this clear, but his words reflect the growing discussion within boxing about where the money for the sport’s biggest fights comes from. Bradley’s comments suggest that Saudi-backed events have become an important factor whenever major wars are put together.
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Last updated on 2026/03/05 at 9:26 PM
