Turki Alalshikh says 'it should never be allowed to happen' as WBA consider bringing back controversial boxing rule

Turki Alalshikh has claimed that a controversial proposal for a boxing rule change should 'never be allowed to happen'.

Alalshikh, the current chairman of the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority, has organised and promoted some of the biggest fights in boxing over the past several years.

He also purchased the Ring Magazine in 2024, and has promised that a number of other major fights will be held in 2025.

One thing it appears he won't do, though, is consider implementing a proposed boxing rule change if it goes through.

After the topic was initially raised by former WBO champion Teofimo Lopez, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza claimed that a 15-round format could be controversially re-introduced on a trial period for certain fights.

In a statement, Mendoza said: "WBA may think about approving it [undisputed fights for 15 rounds] in a trial mode for certain high calibre opposition between the boxers."

Image: Twitter/@ringmagazine

A 15-round format would potentially result in fewer judges' decisions and more knockouts, but it was originally scrapped by all governing bodies in the 1980s to protect the health of fighters.

And Alalshikh believes that boxing should 'never' go back to the previous format.

He said (via talkSPORT): "No, I don't support this idea in any way.

"This is bad for a fighter's health, and I would never be in favour of fights going back to 15 rounds.

Turki Alalshikh pictured with Cristiano Ronaldo in February 2025 (Image: Getty)

"In my opinion, even a 12-round fight could be too much for a fighter's health. But 15 rounds is out of the question.

"A 15-round fight should never be allowed to happen."

The original change to 12 rounds was made largely due to Korean fighter Kim Duk-koo, who received fatal injuries in the 14th round - he had never gone that distance before - of a 1982 fight against WBC lightweight champion Ray Mancini.