A partnership between The Ring, TKO and Sela has been announced.
Earlier in March it was confirmed that The Ring will be overseeing a promotion on May 2 in New York’s Times Square, in which Ryan Garcia-Rolando Romero, Devin Haney-Jose Ramirez and Teofimo Lopez Jnr-Arnold Barboza Jnr will take place.
They have swiftly followed that announcement by confirming a collaboration with one company that also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment, and another involved in entertainment and hospitality in Saudi Arabia.
Turki Alalshikh of the General Entertainment Authority, the organization that has invested in The Ring, Riyadh Season-branded boxing promotions, UFC promotions and overseen WWE dates within Saudi Arabia, said: "This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans.
"Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption."
According to the press release: "TKO will serve as managing partner, providing day-to-day operational expertise, management, and oversight of the promotion, with executive leadership anchored by UFC president and CEO Dana White and WWE president and TKO board member Nick Khan."
Rumors in boxing circles persist that TKO, the owner of UFC and WWE, will promote the fight date that is being prepared for later in 2025 between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Terence Crawford, which they plan to broadcast on Netflix, and to host at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in September.
Speaking in a video he posted to social media, White said: "We've just done a deal to start a new boxing league, with Turki, who absolutely loves the sport of boxing.
"The model is proven to deliver the fights fans want to see. The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions. We will continue to make announcements on where you can watch, and all the rest of the details on the business, as we get closer to the launch."
Alalshikh has already worked extensively with Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn and, to a lesser degree, Oscar De La Hoya, and in the same video said: "I'm very happy. I give the flag of boxing to the best man who can handle it. He has a tough job now, but I am sure he will be delivering to the people and the fans the magnificent league, and get boxing great again."
White has long discussed his move into big-time boxing and in 2024 confirmed to BoxingScene: “I’m in.”
Netflix showed the biggest event of 2024 when they broadcast the promotion that featured Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano II on a bill topped by Mike Tyson-Jake Paul.