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Turki Al Al-Sheikh Announces Names of World Champions Participating in Global Boxing Match

28 October 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh (L), presents the belt of the Riyadh season to the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury (2nd R), after defeating his competitor, heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, as part of the opening activities of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Season. (FILE/Saudi Press Agency)
28 October 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh (L), presents the belt of the Riyadh season to the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury (2nd R), after defeating his competitor, heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, as part of the opening activities of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Season. (FILE/Saudi Press Agency)
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Turki Al Al-Sheikh Announces Names of World Champions Participating in Global Boxing Match

28 October 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh (L), presents the belt of the Riyadh season to the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury (2nd R), after defeating his competitor, heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, as part of the opening activities of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Season. (FILE/Saudi Press Agency)
28 October 2023, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh (L), presents the belt of the Riyadh season to the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury (2nd R), after defeating his competitor, heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, as part of the opening activities of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Season. (FILE/Saudi Press Agency)

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al Al-Sheikh, has announced the lineup for the "4 Crown Showdown" fight, featuring an electrifying clash for the undisputed world championship in the light heavyweight category (175 pounds) between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Al Al-Sheikh also unveiled the participants for the upcoming “5 vs 5 a Riyadh Season Original” event, a highlight of this year’s Riyadh Season. This event will bring together boxing rivals Queensberry and Match Room at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on June 1, SPA reported.
Al Al-Sheikh emphasized, “The ‘4 Crown Showdown’ and ‘5 vs 5 a Riyadh Season Original’ fights are among the standout events of this year’s Riyadh Season, showcasing champions selected by our partners at Queensberry and Match Room.” He stressed Riyadh Season's commitment to hosting top-tier fights, major events, and forging partnerships to deliver unparalleled entertainment to fans.
Dmitry Bivol, the current light heavyweight world champion at 33 years old, boasts an impressive record of 22 wins, including eleven knockout victories, and has successfully defended his title in 10 matches over the past six years. Meanwhile, Artur Beterbiev, aged 39, holds the WBC, IBF, and WBO world champion titles, having secured all 20 of his victories by knockout.
In the "5 vs 5 a Riyadh Season Original" matchups, announced during a press conference at Outernet in London, Queensberry selected heavyweight boxer Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs), known for his formidable skills in the ring. Dubois recently faced champion Jarrell Miller in Riyadh last December and is set to take on Filip Hrjovic (17-0, 14 KOs), the number one contender in the International Boxing Federation, representing Match Room.
Queensberry's second heavyweight contender is Chinese giant Zhang Zhili, also known as “Bang Bang” (26-2-1, 21 KOs), who will face former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) from Match Room.
In the featherweight category, champion Nick Paul (19-0-1, 11 KOs) represents Queensberry and is expected to engage in a thrilling bout against American world champion Ray Ford of Match Room (15-0-1, 8 KOs) for the WBA World Featherweight Championship.
The middleweight division features WBC silver and Commonwealth champion Hamza Shiraz (19-0, 15 KOs) from Queensbury, facing off against Match Room nominee Austin Williams (16-0, 11 KOs), who claimed the IBF North American title in 2023.
The final matchup of this eagerly anticipated event pits Queensberry light heavyweight champion and former amateur world champion Willie Hutchinson (17-1, 13 KOs) against Match Room candidate Craig Richards (18-1-3, 11 KOs), the former British champion and WBA World Champion title challenger.

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Djokovic Still Dealing with Injury, May Not Play Madrid Open

Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
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Djokovic Still Dealing with Injury, May Not Play Madrid Open

Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent events in Miami and Monte Carlo and says he may not be ready for next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open Grand Slam.

The 38-year-old Serb lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in February and fell to Jack Draper in the Indian Wells ⁠fourth round last ⁠month, before pulling out of the Miami Open due to a right shoulder injury.

The 24-times Grand Slam champion then skipped last week's Monte Carlo Masters before arriving in Spain to begin preparations for the ⁠April 22-May 3 Madrid Open.

However, his participation at the event, which he has won three times, remains in doubt.

"I hope to compete here, I'm working towards that," Djokovic told Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ at a EuroLeague basketball game in the Spanish capital on Thursday.

"I don't (know), I'm not sure. I have been struggling physically a little bit with an ⁠injury, ⁠so I'm trying to address that and play as long as I can.

"Now I have a little bit more time, not playing as much, so I get a chance to enjoy other sports and great athleticism,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

The draw for the Madrid Open will be held on Monday.

Djokovic will be looking for a record 25th Grand Slam title when Roland Garros gets underway on May 24.

Sports

Kingdom Holding to Acquire Majority Stake in Al-Hilal

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF
The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF
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Kingdom Holding to Acquire Majority Stake in Al-Hilal

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF
The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF

Kingdom Holding Company has signed a binding agreement to acquire a 70% stake in Saudi Pro League soccer club Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) said on Thursday.

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals ($373.20 million). The agreement supports PIF's ⁠strategy of maximizing ⁠returns while recycling capital back into the local economy.

Since July 2023, the PIF has been the principal shareholder in Al-Hilal as part of a wider initiative aimed at accelerating ⁠the development of sports clubs and boosting the sports sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product.

Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company Prince Al Waleed bin Talal said: “Al-Hilal Club represents a national symbol and a source of pride. Our acquisition reflects our deep belief in the role of sport as a developmental force for both the economy ⁠and ⁠society.”

Al-Hilal, who have been top-flight champions 19 times, are second in the Saudi Pro League on 68 points from 28 games, eight points off Al Nassr with a match in hand.

Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF Yazeed Al-Humied, said: “PIF has proudly helped drive the efforts to transform Saudi Arabia’s sports sector and increase its value proposition for investors while creating lasting results at every level, from players and fans to local communities.”

“PIF has set ambitious goals for the clubs, enabling them to become successful commercially and professionally and achieve long-term financial sustainability. Today’s announcement aligns with PIF’s strategy to maximize returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy,” he added.

Completion of the transaction is subject to meeting certain conditions and receiving the necessary regulatory approvals as outlined in the agreement.

Sports

French Open Prize Money Increases 9.5%

FILE - The crowd watch Norway's Casper Ruud playing against Spain's Rafael Nadal on the court Philippe Chatrier, known as center court, during their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium on June 5, 2022 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - The crowd watch Norway's Casper Ruud playing against Spain's Rafael Nadal on the court Philippe Chatrier, known as center court, during their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium on June 5, 2022 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
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French Open Prize Money Increases 9.5%

FILE - The crowd watch Norway's Casper Ruud playing against Spain's Rafael Nadal on the court Philippe Chatrier, known as center court, during their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium on June 5, 2022 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - The crowd watch Norway's Casper Ruud playing against Spain's Rafael Nadal on the court Philippe Chatrier, known as center court, during their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium on June 5, 2022 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Prize money at this year's French Open will jump by 9.5%, taking the total purse to 61.7 million euros ($72.69 million), organizers said on Thursday.

The increase of 5.4 million euros compared to 2025 continues a steady rise in player earnings at the claycourt Grand Slam, Reuters reported.

The organizers have in recent years focused on boosting prize ⁠money across all ⁠rounds, not only for the champions but also for players eliminated in the early stages, amid growing calls within the sport for a fairer distribution of revenues.

The Paris major, ⁠staged annually at Roland-Garros, has maintained equal prize money for men and women.

The prize money increase comes as pressure mounts from players for a greater share of revenues, with discussions ongoing across the sport involving governing bodies and tournament organizers.

Despite the latest rise, Roland-Garros is expected to remain behind ⁠the ⁠other three Grand Slams in overall prize money.

The US Open offered the largest prize fund of the Grand Slams last year with $90 million, while Wimbledon paid out 53.5 million pounds ($72.40 million).

The Australian Open offered a record A$111.5 million ($79.92 million) in prize money this year.