Hamzah Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Reito Tsutsumi - who are Turki Alalshikh's favoured fighters?

Arguably the most influential man in modern boxing, Turki Alalshikh has the ability to change a boxer’s life.

The Riyadh Season mogul’s involvement has seen the sweet science receive rich financial backing, leading to many impressive matchups and cards over the last few years. 

This weekend, an Alalshikh favourite in Mark Chamberlain returns to the ring when he faces Jack Rafferty in Altrincham, live on DAZN.

A passionate boxing fan, Alalshikh’s love for the sport has been a key driving force in the increased investment for events and shows. The Saudi Arabian’s influence on the sport has grown stronger and stronger, with Alalshikh keen to see exciting fights. 

Not afraid to voice his opinion about aspects of the sport on social media, it is no surprise that Alalshikh hardly keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to his favourite boxers. 

Growing up, he was enamoured with the styles of Larry Holmes and Roberto Durán, but there are plenty of modern fighters Alalshikh roots for. 

Hamzah Sheeraz 

Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

Brit Hamzah Sheeraz made an impressive start to life as a super middleweight in July, when he defeated Edgar Berlanga in the co-main event of The Ring III show. The 26-year-old had received a title shot at middleweight, but was unable to take advantage when he faced WBC champion Carlos Adames on the undercard of the second Beterbiev-Bivol fight. 

Outclassed and seemingly well beaten, Riyadh Season international ambassador Sheeraz was happier of the two fighters when a controversial split decision draw was read out.  

Further eyebrows had been raised when Alalshikh stepped up from his ringside perch midway through the bout to personally tell Sheeraz that he was losing the fight, leading to outcry on social media. 

Some suggested that Alalshikh had seen the judges’ scorecards, but this claim has been refuted by officials, including WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán. 

Sulaimán told BoxingScene: “I don’t think he knew the scores but was instead expressing his opinion that Sheeraz was behind. The scores are handled by the BBBoC and the WBC supervisor. I was just behind them and never saw anyone approaching to see or inquire about the scores.” 

Still unbeaten, Sheeraz continues to receive backing from Alalshikh, who has included the Londoner on another show arranged by the Saudi Arabian. 

Alalshikh clearly has big plans for Sheeraz, as evidenced by his tweet in the build-up to the Berlanga fight.  

Sheeraz carried out what he had to do by knocking out Berlanga in the fifth round, potentially setting up a shot at  Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez in the near future. 

The bout between Berlanga and Sheeraz served as a WBC title eliminator for one of the four belts undisputed champion Álvarez holds. 

Mark Chamberlain 

Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Sheeraz may be Turki Alalshikh’s current favourite, but boxing’s kingmaker used to be very vocal about his support of Portsmouth fighter Chamberlain. 

Nicknamed ‘Thunder’, Chamberlain was spotted by Alalshikh fighting at York Hall, a breeding ground for future world champions. Out of nowhere, he was called by the Saudi Arabian royal advisor, leading to his inclusion on multiple Riyadh Season shows. 

Just as he was establishing himself as a staple on Saudi Arabian cards, Chamberlain featured on the undercard of Daniel Dubois’ win over Anthony Joshua. He took on Josh Padley, a previously unbeaten lightweight who was supposedly a level below Chamberlain. 

However, that proved not to be the case, with Padley pulling off the shock with a unanimous decision victory under the Wembley arch.  

Since that 2024 defeat, Alalshikh’s interest in Chamberlain has cooled, with Queensberry left to rebuild their fighter’s profile on domestic shows. 

He could take another step on his comeback journey by defeating unbeaten Rafferty on Saturday night, clinching the British and Commonwealth super lightweight titles in the process.

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Josh Padley 

(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Josh Padley’s aforementioned defeat of Mark Chamberlain caught the attention of Alalshikh, who remembered the Yorkshireman’s name when a lightweight was needed at the last-minute against Shakur Stevenson in February. 

With just days to make weight, it was no surprise that WBC champion Stevenson stopped Padley, but the heart and quality shown led to Matchroom Boxing offering the 29-year-old a contract. 

That enabled the electrician to put down the tools and take up boxing full time, highlighting the life-changing impact Alalshikh can have on a fighter's career. 

Reito Tsutsumi 

There are plenty of big names that serve as Riyadh Season ambassadors, with stars selected from countries all over the world. 

Future opponents Terence Crawford and Canelo are representatives, as well as heavyweight Anthony Joshua and two-division undisputed champion Naoyo Inoue. It is perhaps a surprise then to see a prospect with the same distinction, but Japanese featherweight Reito Tsutsumi has been highlighted by another one of Turki Alalshikh's organisations.

A gold medallist at the 2021 World Youth Championships, Tsutsumi is backed to have a successful professional career, with The Ring magazine – owned by Alalshikh – frequently pushing the Japanese fighter as their ambassador.

The 22-year-old made his pro debut as the opening bout of The Ring’s first event held at Times Square, Tsutsumi’s duel with Levale Whittington the only non-world title fight of the night. 

He was victorious again on a show put on by The Ring, when he defeated American prospect Isiah Rodrigues in July.  In the build up to the bout, Tsutsumi trained with WBC flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, who will feature on The Ring’s fourth show later this year. 

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Mohammed Alakel 

Part of Turki Alalshik’s remit as head of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia is to improve his country’s profile, explaining why numerous shows have been staged in the Middle East. 

Alalshikh has also been keen to highlight Saudi Arabia’s own boxers, with Mohammed Alakel clearly standing out as a prospect.  

Since making his debut on the undercard of the first Beterbiev-Bivol fight, ‘Might Mo’ has featured on four shows in his homeland, picking up four straight shutouts via decision and points wins. 

Trained by The Ring’s 2015 trainer of the year Joe Gallagher, Alalshikh is not the only high profile name in Alakel’s corner. Former women’s welterweight world champion Natasha Jonas trains with the 21-year-old, and has been seen helping out during fights. 

Alakel will fight outside Saudi Arabia for the first time this weekend, when he faces Placido Hoff on the undercard of The Ring III show in New York City.

Alalshikh clearly has Alakel in mind for another fight later in the year, with Turki naming the Saudi Arabian - alongside Tsutsumi - on a list of boxers he would like to see on the undercard of Canelo-Crawford.

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