One particular moment has set social media aflame: Turki Alalshikh - the influential figure behind Saudi Arabia’s boxing events - heading to Hamzah Sheeraz’s corner and telling him he was “two points down” against Carlos Adames.
The footage of Alalshikh urging Sheeraz to pick up the pace had many suspecting he had inside info on the judges’ cards. However, both the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) and the WBC refute that possibility. Robert Smith, BBBoC’s general secretary, insists Alalshikh never neared the scoring table. He explains that each judge's card is collected at the end of the round, the tallies are then updated, and there's simply no spare time for someone to peek without being noticed. Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC president, echoes this, saying he was right behind the table and never saw Alalshikh approach.
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Sources at ringside mention Alalshikh had a monitor with the DAZN broadcast, but the Saudi official left his seat 30 seconds before the 10th round ended, making it highly unlikely he glimpsed any official totals. Instead, it appears he was voicing his personal take that Sheeraz needed a late surge. Sadly for him, their matchup was overshadowed by controversy when two judges rendered a draw, prompting many to question the final verdict.
Still, the BBBoC and the WBC see nothing suspicious, likening Alalshikh’s actions to promoters or managers who often tell fighters they must "win the next round." And while many felt Adames deserved the nod, there won’t be an inquiry. In the end, Adames keeps his belt.
Get to know more about Hamzah Sheeraz.
Image Credit: DAZN