Eddie Hearn described the chief as the “most powerful” figure in boxing
ANTHONY JOSHUA is waiting to fight Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, according to Saudia Arabian promoter Turki Alalsikh.
The boxing chief has been responsible for organising some of the biggest fights in the sport in recent years.
Anthony Joshua and Turki Alalsikh teased a blockbuster fight
AJ is ready to take on Tyson Fury or Oleksandr UsykCredit: EPA
And he teased another blockbuster bout after meeting up with Joshua.
The pair posed for a photo which was shared on X alongside the caption: “We are waiting for the result of Usyk vs Fury.”
Joshua, 34, is back in frame for a title fight after winning four on the bounce since his second defeat to Usyk.
He most recently dismantled Francis Ngannou in devastating fashion to spark talk of a potential all-Brit clash with Fury.
The Gyspy King takes on Usyk first on May 18 and if successful he could later defend his unified heavyweight belts against AJ.
That fight could be worth £200million thanks to Alalsikh, who has bankrolled a brilliant resurgence of the sport, funding and demanding recent bouts between AJ, Fury, Ngannou, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker.
His influence and finances have blown apart the usual excuses for mega-bouts not being made – like broadcast and promotional rights and rows – and allowed Riyadh to host a gluttony of elite pugilism.
And SunSport understands Alalshikh and the events group Sela – which sponsors Newcastle – will branch out into the UK and potentially host Joshua vs Fury at Wembley.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has described Alalsikh as the “most powerful man in boxing”, and he has claimed the world will want to see AJ take on Fury if the Gpysy King beats Usyk.
Fury and Usyk have agreed a two-fight deal but Hearn is confident Alalsikh will be able to broker an agreement if Usyk loses.
He said: “I never thought I would be OK saying I am not the most powerful man in boxing but I am not, Turki Alalshikh is.
“He is the biggest fight fan I have ever met and all he wants is the biggest fights and the biggest moments.
“Fury and Usyk have a two-fight deal. But if Tyson Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in the first fight, the whole world is going to say ‘please don’t do the second fight’.
“It’s worth north of £100m for each guy. It’s the richest fight ever, the biggest fight ever.”