The End of Boxing As We Know It? Saudi Arabia Plans Major Moves That Could Shift Industry

Less than a year since launching the multi-billion dollar LIV Golf enterprise, Saudi Arabia is once again meddling in the sports world - and may be looking for a fight… literally!

According to multiple reports, the Saudi Arabia Private Investment Fund (PIF), which is financed by the Kingdom's massive wealth accumulated from their oil reserves, is looking to partner with the top American boxing promoters and form a single promotion.

The ultimate goal would be for the new Saudi league to form a joint venture with America's two largest ones, Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions. Just like other big Saudi-backed moves including LIV Golf and massive soccer deals, the PIF is willing to put their money where their mouth and spend billions of dollars on the new boxing league that could ultimately cost between $4-$5 billion. 

SAUDI ARABIA'S PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUND IS WORTH $700 BILLION

Under the new Saudi promotion, the world's top 200 boxers would be divided into 12 different weight classes. All promotions would fall under the Saudi-based leadership with the majority of fights taking place there.

Make no mistake about it - this could have huge ramifications for the fighting world. The fact of the matter is, corporations and companies can't pay fighters close to anything that the Saudis would be offering them. Remember how steadfast the PGA Tour was against joining LIV Golf until they realized more and more of their players were getting offered big money deals and the PGA realized "if you can't beat em, join em!" Eventually, the PGA Tour secured a $3 billion investment from the PIF - despite backlash over the Kingdom's questionable human rights records and connections to 9/11.

As I've written time and time again, Saudi Arabia has been making BIG power-playing moves in both the sports and entertainment sectors. From LIV Golf to Formula 1 Racing to soccer and tennis to even a new deal with the WWE to host annual pay-per-views, the Saudis aren't going anywhere. Last month, boxing greats Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk even fought in Riyadh!

Although fighters would be able to make as much as someone's willing to pay them, there is some public criticism for taming up with the Saudis.

How much that criticism will matter remains to be seen.