Wed Mar 05 18:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Saudi-Backed Boxing Promotion Set to Disrupt the Sport in 2026

**Riyadh/Las Vegas** – A new boxing promotion, backed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and spearheaded by UFC President Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan, is poised to revolutionize the sport. The venture, announced Wednesday by GEA chairman Turki Alalshikh, will launch its first event in 2026.

The partnership, a significant investment by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), aims to create a highly structured system for developing global boxing talent. This will include athlete combines, academies, and access to the state-of-the-art UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai. TKO Group, the parent company of both UFC and WWE, will handle production and global broadcasting.

Alalshikh, who has already orchestrated high-profile boxing events in Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles, and London, including fights featuring Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou, expressed his excitement about the collaboration. He praised White and Khan as the “best in the sport” and predicted the new league would be highly successful.

White, whose history with boxing predates his UFC involvement, lauded Alalshikh’s investment and vision, stating he’s “done more for boxing than any promoter in the history of the sport combined.” He highlighted the fragmented nature of professional boxing and expressed his belief that this new promotion, with its emphasis on a clear ranking system and a single champion per weight class, will address the sport’s long-standing issues.

Khan, whose experience in media rights deals and global expansion will be crucial, will leverage his expertise to build the league’s worldwide reach. His background in boxing management and his role in the UFC-WWE merger further strengthens the venture’s potential.

This new league represents another significant step in Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on global sports, building on its recent acquisitions, including the influential boxing publication *The Ring*. The promotion plans to leverage its resources to identify and cultivate the next generation of boxing stars, promising an unparalleled experience for both athletes and fans alike.

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