His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is enthusiastic about the prospect of putting together a mega-card that would feature Terence Crawford facing off against Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Shakur Stevenson taking on William Zepeda on the same night. However, the excitement surrounding this potential matchup has been overshadowed by controversy.
Following Ortiz’s controversial victory over WBC interim champion Serhii Bohachuk, there are doubts about whether Turki’s plans for a Crawford vs. Ortiz Jr. fight will come to fruition. Ortiz’s questionable win, where he was knocked down twice and still managed to secure a majority decision, raises concerns about his readiness to face a top-tier opponent like Crawford.
Initially, Turki had hoped to match Crawford against the likes of Canelo Alvarez, who holds titles in multiple weight classes. However, Canelo’s lack of response to their offer and his apparent dismissal of their efforts to make a deal have led Turki to shift his focus elsewhere. Despite Canelo’s reputation as a top draw in boxing, Turki seems unwilling to meet his financial demands for a potential matchup with Crawford.
The Appeal of a Crawford-Ortiz Jr. Bout
While Crawford may not be a major pay-per-view attraction like Canelo, the opportunity to face Ortiz Jr. presents an appealing prospect. Given Ortiz’s lackluster performance in his last fight, Crawford sees an opportunity to assert his dominance and secure a significant payday in the process. Turki’s interest in promoting this matchup reflects his desire to showcase compelling fights that resonate with boxing fans.
For Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Boxing, the possibility of hosting a card featuring Crawford-Ortiz and Shakur-Zepeda represents a chance to revive the promotion’s fortunes. With De La Hoya backing Ortiz Jr. and Zepeda, such an event could harken back to the glory days of Golden Boy when they were at the forefront of big boxing events. The potential success of this mega-card could signal a resurgence for Golden Boy in the boxing world.
Turki Alalshikh’s ambitious plans for a mega-card featuring top fighters like Crawford, Ortiz Jr., Stevenson, and Zepeda showcase his commitment to revitalizing the sport of boxing. While there are challenges and controversies to navigate along the way, the prospect of compelling matchups and high-stakes bouts invigorates both fans and promoters alike. With Turki at the helm, the future of boxing looks bright, with the promise of exciting showdowns and memorable moments on the horizon.