Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: De La Hoya Reacts to Queensberry vs. Matchroom Tournament
In a spectacular event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last Saturday, the boxing world witnessed an innovative ‘5 vs. 5’ tournament between Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom Boxing. Prominent promoter Oscar De La Hoya has expressed his admiration for the concept, praising its potential to revolutionize the sport.
Queensberry’s Dominance in the Tournament
Queensberry Promotions, led by Frank Warren, emerged victorious with a clean sweep, defeating Matchroom’s team 5-0. De La Hoya attributes Matchroom’s loss to the roster choices made by Eddie Hearn. “Hearn has excellent fighters in his stable, but the ones he put on this team were second stringers, not the best guys,” De La Hoya noted.
Potential Matchroom All-Star Team
De La Hoya believes that had Hearn selected his top fighters, the outcome would have been different. He suggested that a team comprising Anthony Joshua, Devin Haney, Jaron Ennis, Diego Pacheco, and Subriel Matias would have dominated the competition. “If Hearn put his best guys on the squad, he would have had an all-star team and would have wiped out Queensberry,” De La Hoya stated.
Cost and Logistics as Key Barriers
The primary issue, according to De La Hoya, is the cost associated with fielding such high-caliber fighters. “It would cost too much money for Hearn to put these Matchroom fighters on a 5 vs. 5 team,” he explained. This financial challenge forced Hearn to opt for more affordable but less formidable boxers.
De La Hoya’s Enthusiasm for the Concept
Despite the defeat of Hearn’s team, De La Hoya is enthusiastic about the ‘5 vs. 5’ format. “The 5 against 5 is a great concept. I love it,” he said on social media. He highlighted the excitement and innovation it brings to the sport, although he criticized Hearn for not having a deep enough roster to compete effectively against Warren’s seasoned team.
A Challenge to Rival Promoters
Not one to shy away from competition, De La Hoya issued a challenge to other top promoters, including Al Haymon and Frank Warren. “I can go up against Al Haymon. I can go up against Frank Warren. He promotes heavyweights. I’m all for it. I love the concept,” De La Hoya declared. However, he expressed doubts about the feasibility of such events in the U.S., particularly involving Golden Boy and Top Rank, due to logistical and financial constraints.
Commending Turki Alalshikh for Promoting Boxing
De La Hoya also took the opportunity to praise Turki Alalshikh for his contributions to the sport. “Keep doing what you’re doing, Turki. We love it. The boxing fans really respect that. You’re spending a lot of money giving us the fights that we want to see,” De La Hoya said. He acknowledged Alalshikh’s efforts in promoting high-profile events and bringing exciting matchups to the fans.
Upcoming Events and Future Prospects
Looking ahead, De La Hoya expressed excitement about the upcoming fight card on August 3rd in Los Angeles, which features Vergil Ortiz Jr. He mentioned that although Tim Tszyu is off the card, an exciting replacement is being arranged. “Turki, you’re doing a great job. Keep doing what you’re doing,” De La Hoya reiterated.
A New Era in Boxing Promotion
De La Hoya’s comments underscore a potential shift in boxing promotion, with new concepts like ‘5 vs. 5’ tournaments and influential figures like Turki Alalshikh playing pivotal roles. “Turki is not a promoter. He’s not a manager. He just loves boxing, and he’s talking to every promoter out there and trying to make the best fights happen. So congratulations, Turki. I applaud you,” De La Hoya concluded.
Editor’s Insight
The introduction of the ‘5 vs. 5’ concept marks a significant innovation in boxing, promising to enhance the sport’s entertainment value and competitive edge. Oscar De La Hoya’s support and willingness to engage in such formats highlight the evolving nature of boxing promotion. This event in Riyadh could set a precedent for future collaborations and rivalries among top promoters, potentially reshaping the landscape of professional boxing.
