Saudi Arabia’s sports czar, Turki al-Sheikh, is dragging his oil-drenched influence from the deserts of Riyadh to the neon chaos of New York’s Times Square.
On May 2, the so-called “Crossroads of the World” will swap Elmo impersonators for boxing gloves as Ryan Garcia steps back into the ring after a year-long timeout.
The Big Fight Lineup
Garcia, whose last bout ended in a unanimous decision win, is set to face Rolando “Not That Romero” Romero.
Meanwhile, Devin “Undefeated Until Proven Otherwise” Haney will dance with Jose “Remember Me” Ramirez in a welterweight showdown.
And let’s not forget Teofimo “Brooklyn’s Finest” Lopez defending his WBO junior welterweight title against Arnold “Who?” Barboza Jr.
Flexing Petro-Dollars, Not Just Boxing Skills
This spectacle isn’t just about punches and pay-per-views; it’s a strategic move by al-Sheikh to slap Saudi Arabia’s brand on global sports, even if it means hijacking America’s most iconic selfie spot.
After buying The Ring magazine, al-Sheikh’s mission to make Saudi the new Vegas is in full swing.
But let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t about the love of the sport; it’s about flexing petro-dollars and image polishing.
While Saudi Arabia tries to scrub its record cleaner than a boxer’s urine sample, New York’s athletic commission remains tight-lipped about the logistics of turning a tourist trap into a boxing venue.
This May 2 event promises more drama than a Kardashian wedding, with a side of geopolitical maneuvering. This’ll be great.
