In a dramatic and unexpected turn that shakes the world of boxing and the global sports business community, the Saudi billionaire and the Boxing Power Corridor Turki Alalshikh, according to the reports, demand more than $ 100 million in compensation of the Mexican boxing compensation Canelo Álvarez, after the loss of second network of Canelo de Canelo de Canelo de Canelo de Canelo from Canelo A Canelo de Cane. to Terence “Bud”.
A superfect ends in super shame
The highly anticipated super fight between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, held in Riad as part of the growing investment of Saudi Arabia in Global Sports, was one of the greatest boxing events in recent memory. Promoted by Turki Alalshikh and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi (GEA), the event had a massive budget, international transmission coverage and high -risk pride on the line.
But instead of great success, fans witnessed a surprisingly unilateral matter. Crawford dismantled Canelo with surgical precision, dropped him into the first round and finished it in the second. The result surprised both the boxing community and the Saudi organizers, who, according to the reports, had invested hundreds of millions to make the fight a global show.
Turki Alalshikh’s compensation demand
According to multiple sources close to the GEA, Turki Alalshikh, the intellectual author behind the sports campaigns of the “Riad Season” of Saudi Arabia, is furious for what he considers a “betrayal of expectations and commitments” by Álvarez. Alalshikh supposedly expected a much more competitive and marketable performance of Mexican superstar, whose presence was used to promote fighting worldwide.
“They sold us a battle among the Titans,” said a source inside the GEA. “On the other hand, what we got was a shame, and that shame is price.”
According to reports, Turki now looks for more than $ 100 million in damages, citing income from lost transmission rights, sponsorship dissatisfaction and reputation damage to the Saudi Arabia sports entertainment brand.
Legal and contractual ramifications
Legal experts say that such claim, although unusual, is not impossible given the scope of the commercial contracts signed between the Álvarez team and the Saudi organizers. High -risk sports contracts often include performance clauses, promotional obligations and stipulations regarding the behavior of the athlete before, during and after an event.
“If there were any guarantee on the competitiveness of the fight or public appearances that were not fulfilled, there could be legal reasons for a claim,” said sports law lawyer Michael Grant. “But demonstrating low intentional performance in boxing is extremely difficult: you can’t always predict how a fight ends.”
It is not clear if Álvarez’s team had such clauses in his agreement or if this is mainly a political and reputational problem for Alalshikh.
Silence of the Canelo Camp
Until now, Canelo Álvarez has remained silent about the matter. His team has refused to comment, and the fighter himself has not published on social networks since the loss.
Some experts close to the Canelo team suggest that the boxer may have underestimated the speed and IQ of Crawford’s boxing, which led to a defeat that was so shocking for him as for fans and promoters.
Others, however, speculate that the pressure of fighting under Saudi focus may have affected their performance, especially given the immense financial bets and expectations linked to the fight.
The world of boxing reacts
The response of boxing fans and experts have been divided. Some sympathize with Alalshikh’s frustration, especially given the Saudi investment in the accommodation and globalization of sport. Others argue that boxing is inherently unpredictable and requires financial compensation of a fighter to lose is unimportant and harmful to the integrity of sport.
“Do not demand a fighter to be knocked out,” said former world champion Carl Froch. “This is not WWE. It’s real.”
The legendary promoter of Boxo Bob Arum intervened, saying: “Canelo did not throw the fight. The man better hit him. It happens.”
The biggest image of Saudi Arabia
The deep impulse of Saudi Arabia towards sports, from football to formula 1 and now boxing, is part of its 2030 Vision strategy to diversify its economy and improve its global image. Turki Alalshikh has been fundamental to bring talent and world class events to the kingdom.
But this incident can generate concerns about the expectations that are placed in athletes and if the money that is being invested in these events comes with unrealistic demands and immense political pressure.
Final thoughts
Whether the demand of $ 100 million of Turki Alalshikh is in legal shares or is resolved privately, one thing is safe: the consequences of the overwhelming defeat of Canelo are far from finishing. On the other hand, what was destined to be a global elite boxing celebration has become a warning story about the high price of the show, both figuratively and literally.
As the dust sits, the world observes to see how Canelo Álvarez responds, not only to defeat, but an empire of one billion dollars that demands explanations.
