Japan's Naoya Inoue signs historic deal with Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh: Everything you need to know
Japanese boxing icon Naoya Inoue signed a historic deal during a meeting with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chair of Saudi Arabia's GEA (General Entertainment Authority). The Middle Eastern nation's Riyadh Season sports-cum-entertainment venture will sponsor Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs).
The Japan-headquartered PR Times suggested the Inoue-Riyadh Season contract marked a significant sports partnership, a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the official diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. The Asian country and the Kingdom first established diplomatic relations with one another in 1955.
Under the contract, Inoue will don the Riyadh Season logo on the belt of his fight shorts in every professional boxing match he competes in, starting with his upcoming fight against Sam Goodman next month. The partnership is also expected to serve as another improvement in the deepening of cultural bonds and exchanges between the two nations.
It was highlighted that Naoya Inoue made his arrival at the Kingdom's King Khalid International Airport on a private jet, received a grand welcome, and signed the deal at HE Turki Alalshikh's office the following day (on Nov. 4, 2024, at 2:30 am local time and 8:30 am Japan time).
HE Turki Alalshikh alluded to Naoya Inoue's accomplishments in the sport of boxing. He asserted that he's "very pleased" to have Inoue as an ambassador for Riyadh Season, adding that they've got big plans for 2025. Similarly, 'The Monster' expressed his respect for Alalshikh, Riyadh Season, and Saudi Arabia -- emphasizing that he looks forward to competing in the Kingdom in the future.
Inoue asserted that he's excited about the partnership as he heads into his storied career's final stages. The 31-year-old implied that he'd love to show a different side of himself inside the squared circle in Japan and elsewhere, but clarified that his boxing style won't fundamentally change and that he'll continue entertaining the fans.
Making an allusion to Riyadh Season signing some of the most elite competitors across various sports and entertainment dominions, Inoue underscored that only a select few people get the opportunity to partake in the coveted venture.
The deal between Naoya Inoue and Riyadh Season, 'The Monster's' history with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh
The Japan-based Nikkan Sports reported that Naoya Inoue's Riyadh Season sponsorship deal would estimatedly fetch him 3 billion yen, approximately 19.7 million USD. Alalshikh had a meeting with Inoue and Ohashi Boxing Gym president, Hideyuki Ohashi, in Japan in Oct. 2024.
Ohashi accompanied longtime gym member Inoue to the contract signing ceremony in Saudi Arabia this month. Inoue, a boxing great, was hailed as the "face" to strengthen the connection between the two countries.
The agreement's document reportedly didn't include a fight in Saudi Arabia for Naoya Inoue. Nevertheless, Alalshikh, who's previously expressed interest in pitting Inoue against American stars like Gervonta Davis, has indicated that Inoue would compete in a big fight in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
He's also reiterated that Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season are truly interested in the Japanese market.
Inoue is promoted by the Hideyuki Ohashi-helmed Ohashi Promotions, with the Bob Arum-helmed Top Rank promoting him in the U.S. Inoue defends his WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine super bantamweight titles against Australia's Sam Goodman next.
Their undisputed super bantamweight championship match transpires at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Dec. 24, 2024.