The most powerful man in boxing says he won’t do business with Tim Tszyu, in a stunning blow to the Sydney fighter’s chances of competing on the sport’s biggest stage.
Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who has become the biggest shot caller in the sport in recent years with the might of the oil-rich nation’s public investment fund behind him, has ruled out working with the former WBO super welterweight champion in a shock move that has left Tszyu blindsided.
Alalshikh announced he had cut ties with Tszyu after Vergil Ortiz Jr defeated Ukrainian Serhii Bohachuk for the WBC interim super welterweight title last weekend, in what has been described as the fight of the year by boxing analysts.
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Tszyu was due to face Ortiz on the undercard of the Terrence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov Riyadh Season card, but the Australian withdrew on doctor’s orders over the cut he suffered against Sebastian Fundora.
Tszyu and Ortiz had planned to reschedule their bout but Alalshikh revealed on the weekend there are plans for Ortiz to face newly minted WBA super welterweight champion Terrence Crawford, who relinquished the belt on Tuesday.
Reports state there were question marks over Tszyu’s relationship with the Saudi Arabian advisor, and Alalshikh confirmed talks with the Aussie had completely broken down.
“I will not work with Tim Tszyu,” Alalshikh told Fight Hub TV. “Let him do his way, he doesn’t understand.”
In response, Tszyu also told Fight Hub TV: “I’d love to work with him because I like what he’s about, he’s all about making the big fights happen and I’m all for that but I’ve got a team, a professional team with me and everything goes through that.
“From my end I can’t really comment, my team is in town this week so maybe there has been some miscommunication from both sides but hopefully they can sit down and discuss about what’s the plan in the future.”
Tszyu’s promoters, No Limit, released a statement regarding Alalshikh’s comments on Wednesday, pointing out the link between the Saudi official and Crawford.
“He’s pushing Terrence Crawford’s case. Terrence is his Riyadh Season ambassador and he wants what’s best for Terrence Crawford,” No Limit CEO George Rose said.
“Right now, we’re going to fight for an IBF world title. Terrence Crawford doesn’t own that, that belongs to Bakhram Murtazaliev.
“So we’ll be fighting Bakhram and we’ll be wining that world title. Then we’ve got another piece of jewellery for Tim and we’ll be looking at what the next opportunities are for him.
“Terrence Crawford has now got belts, he’s a guy we would love to talk to in the future but right now we’re focused on Bakhram and we’re getting that fight done.
“We want to win that belt and Terrence Crawford is also focussed on what opportunities lie for him in this division.
“He’ll never be the king of the division if he doesn’t fight Tim Tszyu. Tim Tszyu is the king of the division.”
Alalshikh also had some pointed comments for Mexican star Canelo Alvarez, continuing what Canelo called “disrespectful” commentary around the boxing superstar. The Saudi official said Canelo only liked “easy fights” after turning down numerous offers to fight fellow Mexican David Benavidez.
Alalshikh had also planned to make a fight between Alvarez and Crawford but the Mexican reportedly turned the offer down.
“[Canelo] said he doesn’t like what we’re doing in boxing,” said Alalshikh. “This is why I said what I said, and I mean it. If he was a wise guy, he would understand the message, if he’s wise. His ego takes him, let him do his way.”
