After managing to move most of the biggest boxing bouts on the planet to Saudi Arabia, the new powerhouse on the scene is looking to take their product global with fights at iconic locations you might never expect
Turki Alalshikh says the former maximum-security prison Alcatraz – aka Uncle Sam’s Devil’s Island – will host a mega boxing event next March.
The head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and The Ring magazine owner, who is also promoting Conor Benn v Chris Eubank Jr, wants bouts at the former Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco.
It was home to some of the United States’ most notorious criminals from 1934 up until its closure in 1963, with many of them attempting to escape.
In its 29 years as a prison, not one of those attempts was successful, prompting it to later be the setting for the film ‘Escape from Alcatraz’ starring Clint Eastwood.
The iconic site, which earned its nickname in reference to the Cayenne penal colony Devil’s Island in French Guiana, and is now open to the public as a museum, is set to become part of Alalshikh’s grand plan for fights in the US.
New York City’s Times Square will host a Ring Magazine card in May this year with mega-fights including Ryan Garcia v Rolly Romero, Devin Haney v Jose Ramirez and Teofimo Lopez v Arnold Barboza Jr in a WBO title clash.
Another event in New York is also in the works, with the location as yet unknown. But Alalshikh is sure this is the way forward for big-money clashes, although he accepts he will need help to pull off his Alcatraz plan from local officials.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: “If they accept, if they accept – the mayor there, if he accepts, I think it is the perfect place,” Alalshikh said of his desire to host a clash on Alcatraz.
“Also, the mountain. Mount Rushmore, there. Or also, the big aircraft, yeah, in New York, there. You understand me? Strange places.
“You know what I mean now? In front of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. You understand me now? I am thinking to do something there.”
And after the US, Alalshikh has his sights set on other historic monuments around the globe.
“What do you think if there is an event, fight in Alcatraz jail one day?,” Alalshikh said. “It is like a museum now.
“You know, sometimes I get in my mind I want different places to do fights. Sometimes in mountains, maybe someday in the Pyramids in Mexico, someday the Eiffel Tower in France, The Coliseum in Italy. You understand this concept?”
We sure do understand the concept, but whether it’s one people want to see, only time will tell.