Reports suggest that His Excellency Turki Alalshikh intends to host a major boxing event in Riyadh, similar to the Queensberry vs. Matchroom ‘5×5’ event that took place at the Kingdom Arena on June 1 this year. However, this time, instead of promoting individual brands, the boxers may represent their countries.

The event could feature a United States versus United Kingdom showdown. Six boxers from each nation, hailing from prominent promotions like Queensberry and Matchroom in the UK and Top Rank and Golden Boy in the US, would compete against each other.

A Thrilling Encounter Ahead

“In a recent interview, Turki Alalshikh mentioned he is planning to stage a UK 🇬🇧 vs. USA 🇺🇸 6 vs. 6 event in Riyadh 🇸🇦 that would put Queensberry and Matchroom on the same team versus Top Rank and Golden Boy. 🔥,” read a post by Mo Boxing.

The post also invited followers to suggest matchups they’d like to see. For context, the previous Queensberry and Matchroom event proved to be quite a success. Five fighters from each promotion competed under the headliner between Dmitry Bivol and Malik Zinad.

Each fight at the previous event was exciting, keeping fans on the edge of their seats, while sports betting brought in an added level of excitement as viewers eagerly watched the odds fluctuate. On one side, fans saw the rise of Daniel Dubois. He knocked out Filip Hrgovic, making a strong case for a world championship shot. On the other side, Zhilei Zhang drubbed Deontay Wilder, one of the most feared fighters of the era.

The reactions from fans suggest that many are already imagining the outcomes of the potential matchups. Some expressed strong opinions about the event’s outcome.

It’s a foregone conclusion for some

One fan, confident in the abilities of American fighters, stated, “Let’s be real: [the][USA] would [whoop] [UK] fighters.” This statement shows a firm belief in the strength of American boxing. However, another fan was less enthusiastic, saying, “The idea sounds good, but if you think about it, there aren’t that many even and interesting fights. For example, from 160 pounds, the British are far superior, and below 160, the Americans are the best by far.”

This confidence could stem from the presence of high-caliber British boxers like Hamzah Sheeraz, Chris Eubank Jr., Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois, who continue to dominate the middleweight division and above. On the other hand, American champions like Terence Crawford, Gervonta Davis, and Shakur Stevenson hold titles in weight classes like welterweight and lightweight.

Another user expressed skepticism about the level of British boxers, saying, “In what world EURO b*ms from the UK are better than Mexicans? The best fighters are from the US and Mexico lol.
Turki does not like Mexicans at all.” This sentiment reflects the perceived dominance of American and Mexican boxers in the sport.

One fan came prepared with a list of potential matchups. “Ryan Garcia vs. Liam Paro, Vergil Ortiz vs. Boots Ennis, Efe Ajagba vs. Fabio Wardley, Jaime Munguia vs. Diego Pacheco—at least these 4,” they proposed. Another fan, fully confident in a US victory, wrote, “[USA] sweep 😭🦅🦅🦅.” It appears the prospect of the event stirred up the following fan: “Things are getting interesting 👀.”

One may question the significance of such events. Boxing is traditionally an individual sport. Outside of global events like the Olympics, national representation rarely plays a major role.

However, it’s important to recognize that these events provide a platform for fighters whose backgrounds may not be well-known to mainstream boxing fans. They need opportunities like this to gain visibility and make a significant financial impact. The prospect of national rivalry only adds more excitement to the event.

So, does the idea of a USA vs. UK ‘6×6’ boxing event sound exciting to you? Let us know your thoughts!