Naoya Inoue is among the only three boxers to have achieved multi-divisional undisputed champion status since the start of the four-belt era. In recognition of his accomplishments, Inoue has taken advantage of the recent surge in Saudi investment in boxing. As such, he has reportedly signed a $19 million sponsorship deal with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season.
In the last twelve months, Inoue ascended to the 122 lbs weight class and stopped both unified champions. He defeated Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales to achieve the status of super-bantamweight undisputed champion. He has since defended that title twice in 2024. Filled with pride, Alalshikh told Yahoo Sports Japan that Inoue will become a significant ambassador for Riyadh Season.
Inoue is the best and strongest boxer of all time. He has a great interest in Japan and the Japanese market. I hope he will be a good and important ambassador for Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season…
Turki Alalshikh via Yahoo Sports Japan
Since his entry into the boxing community, Saudi GEA chairman, Turki Alalshikh, has made significant strides to improve the sport. He has organized several record-breaking events as a boxing promoter during his relatively short tenure.
Most recently, the “Battle of Britain” fight event set a record for the highest attendance at Wembley Stadium. Apart from Inoue, there were other boxers as well with whom Alalshikh was interested in collaborating. One of the notable names on that list was the Mexican boxing star Canelo Alvarez.
🚨INOUE SIGNS SAUDI DEAL
Naoya Inoue has signed a deal with Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh worth a reported ¥3billion (£15million)
(Yahoo Japan) pic.twitter.com/Rofas1BiGt
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) November 4, 2024
The Saudi delegate attempted to recruit Canelo for a super fight against Terence Crawford. However, the Mexican boxer appeared disinterested in the proposal. Following this, Alalshikh criticized Canelo harshly. Interestingly, there may be some significant developments for the Mexican boxer in the coming months related to the Saudi Delegate’s newly signed boxer.
Rumors of Naoya Inoue and Canelo Alvarez fighting on the same card buzzing
Naoya Inoue is one of the standout boxers in the current world of boxing. Over the past decade, he has defeated several formidable opponents and currently holds an impressive record of 28 wins and 0 losses. His most recent victory was just a few months ago against TJ Doheny. Inoue’s record is comparable to that of Canelo Alvarez, who also has a notable fight record.
In his nearly two-decade-long career, Canelo has been defeated only twice. As a result, the Mexican star has earned a remarkable reputation in the boxing community. Recently, Alvarez visited Japan, where he connected with Inoue. Following that meeting, rumors suggest that both boxers might fight on the same card.
Rumours that Canelo Alvarez and Naoya Inoue could fight on the same card in Tokyo, Japan in December are not true. [According to @ChavaESPN]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 1, 2024
Si bien @CANELOTEAM y @Canelo nos dejaron ver su interés en pelear en Japón, no es cierto, como se informa en algunos sitios, que peleará en diciembre en el País del Sol Naciente. Su vuelta se espera en mayo próximo.
— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) October 1, 2024
Both Inoue and Canelo are known for generating impressive PPV numbers and delivering exciting fights. As a result, they attract large crowds when they compete. If these two boxers were to fight on the same card, it could potentially become one of the record-breaking fight nights in boxing history. Additionally, Alalshikh’s recent deal with Inoue could further enhance the significance of this event.
