Turki Alalshikh Fires Back at Timothy Bradley: Riyadh Season Card Sold Out Despite Criticism
In the world of boxing, few events promise as much excitement as the Riyadh Season card scheduled for tonight in Los Angeles. Headlined by Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov, the card is packed with high-profile bouts featuring stars like Isaac Cruz, Andy Ruiz Jr., and David Morrell. Yet, despite the high stakes and star-studded lineup, Timothy Bradley recently cast doubt on the event’s success.
Bradley, a former world champion and current analyst, voiced skepticism about the card’s ticket sales on ProBox TV’s ‘Deep Waters’. “If you pay attention to ticket sales, they’re not doing that hot,” Bradley remarked, suggesting that despite Crawford’s impressive skill set, he has yet to achieve the superstar status necessary to drive sales. Bradley also pointed out that the event’s lack of a prominent Mexican or Mexican-American fighter and its scheduling conflict with the Paris Olympics could be factors in the lower ticket demand.
In response to Bradley’s comments, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, a key figure behind the Riyadh Season card, took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight. Alalshikh revealed in a tweet that tickets for the highly anticipated event are “SOLD OUT!” His tweet was more than just a rebuttal; it was a declaration of the card’s massive success. “To everyone and Timothy Bradley included, tickets for Riyadh Season Card, LA are SOLD OUT!” he declared, emphasizing the event’s overwhelming popularity and Crawford’s status as a “true mega star and the number one P4P.”
Timothy Bradley appeared in Monday’s episode of ProBox TV’s ‘Deep Waters’, where he said, “If you pay attention to ticket sales, they’re not doing that hot.” Alongside his panelists, Bradley explored the Riyadh Season Card, which will air live on DAZN, ESPN, and PPV.com.
The former world champion explained that while Terence Crawford is a tremendous fighter, “He still hasn’t reached that super-stardom just yet.”
“To everyone and Timothy Bradley included, tickets for Riyadh Season Card, LA are SOLD OUT!”
unlike Crawford, “‘Pitbull’ Cruz brings a lot of eyes—he can sell”. You guessed it, the Saudi Royal Advisor had an answer for this as well. In his post, HE Turki Alalshikh claimed, “Crawford [is] a true mega star and the number one P4P”,
Alalshikh’s response didn’t end there. Addressing Bradley’s comments about Isaac Cruz, Alalshikh reaffirmed Crawford’s elite status and expressed enthusiasm for future projects. He highlighted Crawford’s significant marketability and the impressive scale of the event, dismissing Bradley’s criticism as unfounded.
The controversy drew in other prominent figures, including Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing. Hearn, known for his flair for dramatic statements, described the Riyadh Season card as “the biggest night of boxing America’s ever seen.” Hearn’s assertion, although ambitious, underscores the scale and impact of the event. “The depths of these cards are just insane… if this was just my show, I couldn’t put on this undercard,” he added, further emphasizing the significance of the event.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, the head of Matchroom Boxing said, “I mean, it’s the biggest night of boxing I think America’s ever seen.” While you could say, Hearn would say nice things about his boxer’s event, he added, “It’s the depths of these cards that are just insane… if this was just my show, I couldn’t put on this undercard.”
This exchange of words highlights the ongoing debates within the boxing community about the sport’s current landscape and its ability to attract audiences. Despite the critiques and dramatic statements, the sold-out status of the Riyadh Season card proves that the event has captured significant attention and interest. The successful execution of this high-profile card could signal a resurgence for boxing, showing that despite skepticism, the sport still holds immense appeal.
Editor’s Note: The Riyadh Season card’s success despite earlier doubts reflects a dynamic and evolving landscape in boxing. The event’s sell-out status underscores the ongoing enthusiasm and investment in the sport, countering criticisms and showcasing the power of high-profile matchups.
