Skill Challenge Entertainment, the organization founded by Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, has made a landmark signing with Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world and current heavyweight champion. In an interview with Arab News, Amer Abdallah, director of boxing for Skill Challenge Entertainment, discussed the signing and the organization’s plans for future world title fights in Saudi Arabia.
Abdallah explained that Skill Challenge Entertainment had signed three fighters based on different levels of their careers. The first signee was Ziyad Al-Maayouf, a Saudi Arabian fighter who is new to his career. The second was Badou Jack, a three-division world champion who is among the best fighters in the world. The third was Oleksandr Usyk, an elite-level fighter who can fight at heavyweight or cruiserweight.
Abdallah explained that the signing of Usyk was strategically important for Skill Challenge Entertainment because it filled each of those buckets: prospects, established fighters and elite fighters. He also noted that Usyk was versatile and dynamic, which made him an excellent addition to the organization.
Abdallah also discussed the potential for world title fights in Saudi Arabia. He noted that the most important thing for Usyk right now was to defend his WBA title in Poland against Daniel DuBois. If he was victorious, Abdallah said, Skill Challenge Entertainment would try to bring Tyson Fury to the Kingdom for an undisputed fight.
Abdallah said that there was interest in Joshua fighting Wilder in Saudi Arabia, but there had not been a formal offer made yet. He also noted that it would be unprecedented to have both fights held in Saudi Arabia at the same time.
Abdallah credited the success of Saudi Arabia’s ventures into diverse sports globally to the Vision 2030 of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said that boxing was one of the sports that Prince Mohammed was interested in and that the Ministry of Sport was allocating the revenue and resources to make it happen. He also praised Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz for taking the helm of Skill Challenge Entertainment and making it a force to be reckoned with.
Abdallah concluded by saying that he was blessed to be in his position and that his genuine gratitude was to the Kingdom, Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Khalid bin Abdelaziz for their amazing vision for the country and for giving him the opportunity to be a part of it.