03/05/2025
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
WBC Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames is making it clear—he believes Turki Alalshikh, the powerful figure behind Riyadh Season, acted unethically during his February 22 title defense against Hamzah Sheeraz. The bout, which took place as part of Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season boxing event, ended in a controversial split decision draw. Most observers believed Adames had clearly done enough to win.
Alalshikh’s own conduct during the fight is being called into question. Video footage surfaced showing the Saudi royal adviser standing in Sheeraz’s corner between rounds, shouting instructions and informing Sheeraz that he was down two points. The incident has raised serious questions from Adames.
One of the biggest concerns emerging from this controversy is whether Alalshikh had access to the judges’ scorecards before they were officially tallied. The fact that he was heard telling Sheeraz exactly how many points he was down suggests he may have had inside knowledge—something that, if true, would be a massive conflict of interest, and violation of boxing rules.
Even more questionable is the fact that Alalshikh was physically present in Sheeraz’s corner. Why was the head organizer of the event directly engaging with one fighter, instead of remaining neutral?
Alalshikh has not addressed these concerns publicly. Brunch Boxing reached out to him for comment, but as of now, there has been no response.
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
Adames has not stayed silent about what transpired. Appearing on Podcast de Broadway, the Dominican champion made his feelings clear:
“It didn’t look ethical. Because I can tell you one thing and I can tell you another, it didn’t look ethical. As the head of the event, to go to the corner and give out information that only the judges are supposed to have… what I’m saying is that as a fighter, it wasn’t nice. It wasn’t really nice. My opinion towards that situation is it would’ve been nicer if he stayed in his chair and waited for the judges’ decision. He would’ve been responsible for the events that he is doing in his country.”
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
Adames’ frustration was palpable, seeing what he deemed to be blatant favoritism. His accusations against Turki Alalshikh are part of a larger conversation about the integrity and oversight of boxing in Saudi Arabia. The country has become a massive force in the sport, hosting some of the biggest fights in recent memory. However, concerns about favoritism, conflicts of interest, and the influence of money continue to follow these events.
Sheeraz is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, which has a strong financial partnership with Alalshikh, and has acted as the lead promoter of the Riyadh Season events. In July 2024, Sheeraz was also named an official ambassador for Riyadh Season, further tying him to Alalshikh.
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
At the time, Sheeraz expressed immense gratitude for the role, stating:
“It was all His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, it was all his decision and he chose me to be one of the three ambassadors. I can only be extremely thankful and I don’t think words can express my emotions. He has given me this opportunity and I can just keep getting the wins and win world titles and just become a big name and I suppose if I can eventually do that, then I can say you chose the right man.”
Given Sheeraz’s close relationship with Alalshikh and his promotional backing from Warren, Adames’ suspicions about the fairness of the fight have left him wondering: Was the deck stacked against him from the start?
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
Adames is a fighter under Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)—the only major promotional company that has not formed a partnership with Alalshikh. Top Rank, Queensberry, Matchroom, and Golden Boy have all routinely sent their fighters to Saudi Arabia, but PBC has remained independent, only doing deals that make sense for an individual fighter.
This divide raised another question for Adames: Was he treated differently because he was a PBC fighter? Unlike other fighters who have competed in Riyadh Season events, Adames had a bizarre travel issue leading up to the bout.
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
Just over two weeks before the scheduled fight, Adames attempted to fly to Saudi Arabia but was denied at the airport. He explained the situation at the time:
“I tried to board the plane to Saudi Arabia, but I am banned from getting on because they will not allow me to enter Saudi Arabia. My manager told me that they said I could not enter Saudi Arabia before the date they decided. My team bought our tickets on their own and they let my team pass, but I cannot pass. I’m stranded, waiting at the Las Vegas airport.”
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
A source later told Brunch Boxing that Adames had tried to arrive earlier than his visa and contract allowed—his official entry date was February 10. However, many other fighters arriving for Riyadh Season events had routinely been allowed to enter the country weeks in advance to adjust to the time zone and climate.
Eventually, the issue was resolved, and Adames arrived in Saudi Arabia that weekend. However, his preparation time had already been disrupted.
Photo Credit: Riyadh Season
Why was Adames treated differently? Was it just a visa issue, or was it part of a larger effort to ensure he was at a disadvantage?
One thing is certain: Carlos Adames is not staying silent. Adames has made it clear that he believes Alalshikh’s behavior was unethical.
The fact that Alalshikh was physically in Sheeraz’s corner, offering strategic advice and potential inside information, is a major red flag. The commission overseeing the event, the British Boxing Board of Control, has also been silent on the matter.
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