Saudi Sports Investor Criticizes Tyson-Paul Exhibition Match as 'Not Boxing'

Turki Al-Sheikh, a key figure in Saudi Arabia's sports initiatives, dismisses celebrity exhibition bouts while promoting major boxing events in Riyadh.

• Turki Al-Sheikh, a prominent Saudi investor and sports official, criticized the recent exhibition match between boxing legend Mike Tyson and influencer Jake Paul, calling it entertainment but not true boxing.
• The 58-year-old Tyson's return to the ring ended in a points loss to Paul, drawing significant viewership on Netflix despite technical streaming issues.
• Al-Sheikh emphasized that boxing should not involve matches where 'a legend is beaten at the age of your grandfather,' though he did not mention Tyson by name.
• Saudi Arabia has recently hosted high-profile boxing matches, including a bout between heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, as part of its efforts to enhance its global image through sports.
• The country is also poised to secure the 2034 FIFA World Cup, with the official announcement expected this week, further cementing its role in hosting major international events.

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