Boxing’s Global Power Shift: Has the West Finally Lost Its Grip?

By Billie Sloane, IFL TV

For decades, if you wanted to make it big in boxing, there were two places you had to be—the United States or the United Kingdom. The bright lights of Las Vegas, the electric atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, the packed stadiums of London—this was where the sport’s biggest fights happened, where careers were made, and where the money flowed.

But in recent years, a new power has emerged. Saudi Arabia is not just hosting fights—it’s reshaping boxing itself.

With Turki Al Al Sheikh leading the charge, Saudi Arabia has done more than just throw money at the sport. The Kingdom has fundamentally changed how boxing operates, pulling the biggest names into blockbuster events, not just in Riyadh but also in the U.S. and the U.K. Suddenly, Saudi Arabia isn’t just an emerging market—it’s a power player, dictating terms, securing exclusivity over major fights, and forcing the traditional boxing capitals to play by their rules.

So, are we witnessing the end of Western dominance? Or, despite all the Saudi money and influence, is boxing still too reliant on U.S. and U.K. broadcasters, promoters, and fan bases?

The New Boxing Powerhouses

Let’s be clear—Saudi Arabia didn’t just dip its toes into boxing; it took over the deep end.

Since hosting Joshua vs. Ruiz II in 2019, Saudi Arabia has only expanded its influence. Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Oleksandr Usyk—many of the sport’s biggest names are now fighting in Riyadh, not Vegas.

But here’s the part that truly signals a power shift—Saudi Arabia isn’t just hosting fights in the Middle East. Under Turki Al Al Sheikh’s leadership, Saudi money is bringing fights back to the U.S. and U.K., funding events that might not have happened otherwise.

It’s no longer just about bringing fighters to Saudi Arabia—it’s about controlling where and how the biggest fights happen, no matter the location.

And it’s working.

Promoters, fighters, and managers are following the money. Broadcasters are bending to the demand. When Saudi Arabia wants a fight, it happens.

But even with this massive shift, there’s one question that still lingers—is boxing still too reliant on the Western world?

Will Western Boxing Ever Give Up Its Grip?

For all the talk of global expansion, the simple truth remains—if you want to be a pay-per-view superstar, you still need to crack the U.S. or U.K. markets.

Sure, Saudi Arabia can host big fights, but who’s still controlling the broadcasting rights? Who are the biggest promoters cashing in? The American and British fight industries are still the ones steering the ship.

ESPN, DAZN, Sky Sports, TNT Sports—these networks still dominate boxing coverage, and their decisions shape which fights get the biggest exposure. The most lucrative pay-per-view markets? Still the U.S. and the U.K. The biggest promoters? Eddie Hearn, Bob Arum, Frank Warren, Al Haymon—still Western powerhouses.

So, is this really a power shift—or just a redistribution of events while the Western promoters still call the shots?

And now, there’s another wrinkle in the story—Dana White is back in the boxing game.

The UFC boss has long been critical of boxing’s structure, but now, alongside WWE’s Nick Khan, and his new business partner, Turki Al Al Sheikh, he’s officially stepping into the professional boxing space. And if there’s one thing Dana White knows how to do, it’s control a combat sport.

Think about it—Dana White has access to the biggest U.S. broadcasters, UFC’s marketing machine, and an audience that already trusts him to deliver elite fight promotions. If he brings the UFC model to boxing, does that steal momentum away from Saudi Arabia’s growing grip?

Or is this just another example of how Saudi and Western business minds are working together to dominate the sport?

The power struggle isn’t over—it’s just evolving.

Are We Witnessing a New Boxing Order?

Boxing is undeniably more global than ever before, but the question remains—who is really in control?

Saudi Arabia has proven it can decide the terms of major fights, but the Western world still dominates broadcasting, promotion, and pay-per-view sales. Fighters follow the money, but the money still needs Western eyes to generate demand.

So is boxing finally breaking free from Western dominance? Or are we just watching a new version of the same game—where the decisions come from Saudi Arabia, but the influence still lies in America and the U.K.?

And here’s the real question—when the biggest fight of 2025 happens, where will it be? Who will promote it? And, most importantly, who will truly be in charge?