Riyadh Season pound-for-pound bouts in US digs

Article posted by Coliseum, May 2^nd, 2024

Image: Coliseum GSVA

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al Al-Sheikh announced a blockbuster world title clash as the pound-for-pound superstar Terence Crawford (American professional boxer) challenges Israil Madrimov (professional boxer from Uzbekistan) for the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim world super-welterweight title on August 3^rd, sponsored by Visit Saudi (Saudi Arabia tourism), the MDLBEAST (a global music and new media platform with music culture at its core based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) and the Red Sea Global (one of the world’s most visionary developers based in Riyadh) at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles (US).

‘spa.gov.sa’ stated that the event will be promoted by the Riyadh Season Card, Sela (a company specializing in experiences, events and destinations in Saudi Arabia), League 1, and the Matchroom Boxing (among the world leaders in major boxing promotion and production) in association with the World of Boxing (an international sports organization regulating amateur boxing based in Switzerland), Ten Goose Boxing (TGB) Promotions (boxing promoter based in Las Vegas), Golden Boy Boxing Promotions (American boxing promotional firm based in Los Angeles), Goldstar (events company based in California), Queensberry Promotions (leading boxing promoter in Europe), Salita Promotions (boxing promotion company based in New York), and the Warriors Boxing Promotions (one of the top boxing promotional firms in the world based in Florida).

Riyadh-based the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), formerly the General Authority for Entertainment, is a Government department in Saudi Arabia that regulates the entertainment industry of the country.

Apply for membership

Panama (country in Central America)-based the World Boxing Association (WBA), formerly known as the National Boxing Association, is the oldest and one of the four major organizations which sanction professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Council (WBC – international professional boxing organization), the International Boxing Federation (IBF – an organization which sanctions professional boxing bouts) and the World Boxing Organization.

San Juan (Puerto Rico – unincorporated US territory)-based the World Boxing Organization (WBO) is an organization which sanctions the professional boxing bouts. It is recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame as one of the four major world championship groups, alongside the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

The 22,000-capacity BMO Stadium, formerly the Banc of California Stadium, is a soccer-specific stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California (US). It is the home of the Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC and the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL’s) Angel City FC.

The Riyadh Season is an annual State-funded entertainment and sports festival.

The SNB Riyadh Season Prepaid Card allows its cardholder to accumulate points on eligible transactions.

Enthused AAl-Sheikh, “We are delighted for Riyadh Season to host its first overseas event in Los Angeles, and this fight in the United States is a special one to mark this moment. We want to give people around the world the opportunity to enjoy their own Riyadh Season experience, and this is exactly what we hope to achieve by staging this and also future events around the world.”

‘spa.gov.sa’ quoted Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Limited Chairman, as stating, “This is a fantastic fight between a pound-for-pound great and one of the best world champions in the sport. Terence is a pound-for-pound great and continues to strive to be the very best, but in Israil, he meets a hungry champion who has no intention of relinquishing his title in his first defense – this promises to be one of the fights of the year. The undercard has to be one of, if not the best we have ever seen for a US card – get ready for a huge night on August 3^rd in Los Angeles.”

The pound-for-pound is a ranking used in combat sports, such as boxing, wrestling, or mixed martial arts, of who the better fighters are irrespective of their weight, i.e., adjusted to compensate for weight class.

Commented Crawford, “I’m proud to partner with Riyadh Season and Advisor Al-Sheikh on their first boxing event in the United States. I cannot wait to get back in the ring in my fourth weight class and remind the world why I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Israil Madrimov is a tremendous and entertaining fighter, but on August 3^rd, he will be my next victim. This is the Terence Crawford era.”

Maintained Madrimov stated, “Terence Crawford is one of my favorite boxers and one of the best boxers in the world. … I am very excited to get this opportunity to make a statement, and I will, Inshallah.”

The main event is complemented by an undercard that is set to captivate the fight fans.

Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches.

The recently crowned WBA Super-Lightweight champion Isaac Cruz (Mexican professional boxer) defends his title for the first time against the US southpaw (left-handed boxer) Jose Valenzuela.

Two of the United States’ most fearsome boxing heavyweights will do battle with the former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (American professional boxer) returning to the ring for the first time since a unanimous-decision win against Luis Ortiz (Cuban professional boxer) in September 2022, to face Jarrell Miller (American professional boxer and former kickboxer), who will be going all out to produce a winning outcome after losing his undefeated record in Riyadh in December last year.

Andy Cruz (Cuban professional boxer), the Olympic lightweight gold medalist, continues his lightweight campaign when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran.

Sean Gibbons, an official at MP Promotions, Cruz’s promoter, said, “It’s been nearly two years since Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, the face of Mexico boxing, has had a fight in Los Angeles, but thanks to Advisor Al-Sheikh, Isaac’s first world title defense will be a homecoming in front of the biggest Mexican fan base in the United States.”

Manny Pacquiao, also an official at MP Promotions, stated, “Isaac is going to light it up on August 3^rd, just like he did on March 30th in Las Vegas, when he knocked out Rolly Romero (American professional boxer) to become the world champion. We are very proud that Isaac’s first title defense will be a feature bout on the first boxing event ever presented outside of Saudi Arabia by its General Entertainment Authority, chaired by Advisor Al-Sheikh. We would also like to thank our Co-promoter Tom Brown of TGB Promotions for making this historic moment in Los Angeles.”

Tom Brown from TGB Promotions added, “TGB Promotions is honored to be working with Advisor Al-Sheikh. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a major commitment to boxing, and we are thrilled to be a part of this world-class event in Los Angeles at the BMO Stadium on August 3^rd. LA has a historic reputation for being a great fight town with the greatest fans and some of the best, most memorable, all-action fights … Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs. Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela has the makings to be one of the greatest of them all.”

George Rose, head honcho of No Limit Boxing (one of the world’s leading boxing promoters based in Australia), said, “The No Limit Boxing is delighted to be working with Advisor Al-Sheikh on this historic Riyadh Season USA event on August 3^rd. Tim Tszyu (Australian professional boxer) is a modern-day warrior, only taking the best and biggest fights in the super-welterweight division. He fears no man, walks towards the fire and will again show the world why he is on the path to greatness.”

Leon Margules, who represents Warriors Boxing, said, “The Warriors Boxing and David Morrell are very excited to be part of the upcoming Riyadh Season USA Event. We would like to thank Advisor Al-Sheikh for making this spectacular event happen. David Morrell (Cuban professional boxer) is boxing’s next superstar and has proven to be the most avoided boxer in the sport. On August 3^rd, David Morrell will begin his quest to conquer the light heavyweight division.”

Stated Spencer Brown, Goldstar Chief Executive Officer (CEO), “Another amazing heavyweight clash put on by Advisor Al-Sheikh and the GEA. A clash of two of the most exciting heavyweights in the world. I’m really looking forward to this fight with Andy Ruiz, making his anticipated comeback after nearly two years out of the ring. This former world champion is now looking to get back on top of the heavyweight division again! Against a tough game, Jarrell, big baby Miller, coming off the back of a close defeat against Daniel Dubois (British professional boxer)! This is a top-drawer exciting heavyweight clash with plenty of jeopardy! This is a must-win fight for both fighters. We anticipate another fantastic heavyweight clash.”

Concluded Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Boxing Promotions and 10-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, “We are thrilled to be participating in what will be a stacked Los Angeles card in support of Riyadh Season. His Excellency’s desire to work with all the promoters in order to put on the best fights perfectly aligns with what the Golden Boy has been delivering for years – and I believe this will be the beginning of a wonderful partnership going forward.”

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 250 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue