One of the most influential figures in modern boxing has revealed a heartbreaking update on his health, admitting he is in a race against time to achieve his ambitions in boxing before his cognitive abilities begin to decline.
Turki Alalshikh, a Saudi government official and chair of the General Entertainment Authority, who has played a central role in making some of boxing’s biggest fights possible in recent years, has spoken publically about his long-term battle with cancer.
He was diagnosed with various kinds of cancer in 2015, with the most serious being a tumour located in his brain, close to his pituitary gland.
In a rare and emotional interview with Ring Magazine, Alalshikh opened up about his fears for the future and the urgency driving his plans for boxing.
“I want to do it before losing my memory,” Alalshikh said while discussing his hopes for the sport.
“I am afraid in 2028, or 2029, I’ll forget my name.”
Turki Alalshikh Trying to Connect Promoters
The revelation sheds light on why the Zuffa Boxing co-founder is pushing so hard to bring together some of the sport’s most powerful figures.
Alalshikh revealed plans to organise a meeting involving Dana White, Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, and Nick Khan in an attempt to bridge longstanding divides within boxing.
For decades, promotional rivalries and competing broadcast deals have often prevented the biggest fights from happening. Since becoming one of the sport’s most influential organisers, he has helped deliver major events, including the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, while also helping unify divisions across the sport.
Now, he hopes to create a lasting framework for cooperation before his health worsens.
“I’ll do my best to have a meeting soon and to make peace and revolution for boxing. I hope I succeed and fans see the white smoke rise from the chimney.”
Support Comes in For Turki Alalshikh After Revelation
His comments have prompted an outpouring of support across the boxing world. Ryan Garcia was among those to respond on social media, praising Alalshikh’s impact on the sport and writing that his work has already been a revolution.
No date has yet been confirmed for the proposed summit, but the Saudi’s comments have added extra significance to what could be a landmark moment for boxing. While the sport has often struggled to unite its various factions, one of its most powerful figures is now hoping to bring them together while facing the biggest fight of his life away from the ring.
