The Mysterious Man Who Bought Boxing

Summary

Turkey al-Shik, a former unknown figure, has transformed boxing and combat sports by leveraging his ties to Saudi royalty and vast resources. As a close confidant of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he spearheads Vision 2030's cultural shift, revitalizing boxing, sports, and entertainment. Through strategic acquisitions and bold moves, Turkey has revitalized fractured industries, including buying a soccer team and launching the Riot Season festival. His relentless pursuit of power, influence, and change in boxing has led many to speculate on his ultimate endgame—reshaping global combat sports like never before.

Takeaways

• 😀 Turkey al-Shik, a previously unknown figure in boxing, has quickly become one of the most influential personalities in combat sports.
• 😀 His rise to prominence is linked to his connections with the Saudi royal family, particularly with Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS).
• 😀 Turkey's education in security and criminology laid the foundation for his work with the royal courts, eventually leading him to be appointed chief of security in 2015.
• 😀 He played a pivotal role in helping MBS take power in 2017, demonstrating his loyalty and influence within Saudi Arabia's power structures.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia's economic dependence on oil was a key factor in the country's shift towards diversification, which included focusing on entertainment, with Turkey spearheading projects like Riyad Season.
• 😀 Turkey launched Riyad Season in 2019, an entertainment festival combining music, movies, art, and sports, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a global cultural hub.
• 😀 Boxing's fragmented nature provided an opportunity for Turkey to invest heavily, aiming to create a centralized, unified boxing league based in Riyadh.
• 😀 In addition to his involvement in boxing, Turkey also invested in soccer, buying and revitalizing the struggling Spanish team Alria.
• 😀 Despite heavy criticism and controversies, including allegations of human rights abuses, Turkey has continued to make significant investments in combat sports, particularly boxing.
• 😀 The future of boxing could be shaped by Turkey's vision, potentially ushering in a new golden age of the sport, thanks to his leadership and financial backing.

Q & A

Who is Turkey al-Shik, and why is he significant in the world of boxing?

Turkey al-Shik is a Saudi entrepreneur who, in a short period of time, has become a dominant figure in the world of boxing and MMA. Through strategic investments and partnerships, he has centralized power in both sports, and his influence has been compared to historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Ronald Reagan. His impact has been so significant that he was named WBC's Man of the Year.

What is the connection between Turkey al-Shik and the Saudi royal family?

Turkey al-Shik was born into a middle-class family but had a powerful connection through his friendship with Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), a Saudi prince. His relationship with MBS allowed him to gain access to the royal court, which was crucial in his rise to power in both politics and business.

How did Turkey al-Shik rise through the ranks in Saudi Arabia's political system?

After graduating from a military college, Turkey al-Shik worked in various government roles, eventually becoming the chief of security for the royal courts in 2015. His rise coincided with a period of political instability in Saudi Arabia when King Abdullah died and power shifted to his younger brother, King Salman.

What was the significance of the political shift in Saudi Arabia in 2015, and how did Turkey play a role?

In 2015, after King Abdullah's death, power was passed horizontally within the Saudi royal family, with Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) becoming the crown prince. Turkey played a key role in supporting MBS during this transition, which ultimately resulted in MBS consolidating power and becoming the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia.

Why did Saudi Arabia start focusing on diversifying its economy in 2014?

Saudi Arabia's over-reliance on oil exports became a critical issue when global oil prices crashed in 2014. Realizing the fragility of its economy, the country initiated a diversification strategy, including the Vision 2030 plan, to reduce dependence on oil and establish other industries, like entertainment, as pillars of the economy.

What is Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and how does Turkey al-Shik fit into it?

Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia's long-term plan to diversify its economy and transform the country into a leading global entertainment hub. Turkey al-Shik is a key figure in executing this vision, particularly through his role in organizing the Riyad Season, a multi-month festival blending sports, music, and culture.

What role does boxing play in Saudi Arabia's cultural and economic transformation?

Boxing is a critical part of Saudi Arabia's strategy to rejuvenate its image and economy. Through Turkey al-Shik's investments, the country has become a major player in boxing, hosting high-profile events and aiming to revitalize the sport globally, positioning Saudi Arabia as a future leader in entertainment and sports.

What is 'Riyad Season,' and how does it contribute to Saudi Arabia's goals?

Riyad Season is an annual entertainment festival launched by Turkey al-Shik in 2019, offering a mix of sports, concerts, gaming, and other cultural events. It contributes to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by positioning Riyadh as a new cultural and entertainment hub, attracting international attention and investment.

How has Turkey al-Shik approached investing in sports like boxing and soccer?

Turkey al-Shik has taken a bold and innovative approach to sports investments. In soccer, he bought and revitalized the Spanish soccer team Alria, turning it into a champion. In boxing, he has signed high-profile fighters and made major fights that previously couldn't be arranged, with the goal of restructuring the sport and creating a new, unified league.

What are some of the challenges and risks involved in Turkey al-Shik's business ventures?

Despite his rapid success, Turkey al-Shik faces challenges such as political risks, legal issues, and controversies related to his business practices. Notably, there were concerns about his involvement in a prison-related scandal, which could negatively impact his image. Additionally, his rapid consolidation of power in boxing and MMA raises questions about the long-term sustainability of his model.