Nov 65 min read

Brunch Boxing Exclusive: Oscar De La Hoya Sells The Ring To Turki Alalshikh

Updated: Nov 8

11/06/2024

The Golden Boy era of Ring Magazine has officially come to an end. Long live The Ring.

Sources have confirmed to Brunch Boxing that Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, has sold The Ring (also known as Ring Magazine and Ring TV) to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Rick Reeno, the founder of Boxing Scene, will assume a high-ranking leadership role within the publication, reportedly the dot com website. This marks the end of De La Hoya’s 17-year ownership and the start of a new chapter in the long, storied history of “The Bible of Boxing.”

Pictured: Rich Marotta, Oscar De La Hoya, Turki Alalshikh, Roberto Duran and Eddie Hearn

Turki Alalshikh, a name that has gained significant traction in the boxing world, has become a major player in boxing’s modern renaissance. Through his leadership of the General Entertainment Authority, he has overseen the Saudi entry into the sport with large-scale events under the Riyadh Season banner. His partnerships span across the major boxing organizations, including the WBA, WBC, WBO, and a slew of promotional companies such as Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy, Top Rank, Queensberry Promotions, and Boxxer. Alalshikh is also rumored to be behind the resurrection of Fight Fax, the former record-keeping body for boxing, further embedding Saudi Arabia into the sport’s infrastructure.

Reeno, meanwhile, is a boxing lifer with deep roots in the journalism side of the sport. He founded Boxing Scene in September 2003 and turned it into the go-to site for fight fans, providing comprehensive coverage of fights and fighters worldwide. The website became the industry leader under his direction, attracting a slew of well-respected writers like Jake Donovan, Cliff Rold, and Keith Idec, among others. When Reeno sold his interest to CBS (now Paramount) in 2018, he stayed on as managing editor. However, in February 2024, after Paramount sold Boxing Scene to ProBox TV’s Gary Jonnas, Reeno exited. Now, with The Ring acquisition, he is poised to re-enter the boxing media space in a direct competition with the very platform he built.

Pictured: Rick Reeno and Errol Spence Jr.

The Ring, long revered as the preeminent publication for boxing news, was founded in 1922 by Nat Fleischer. Initially covering both boxing and wrestling, it evolved into the definitive source for boxing rankings, news, and commentary. After Fleischer’s death in 1972, his son-in-law Nat Loubet took over as editor and publisher, followed by a series of ownership and editorial changes. Dave DeBusschere’s group purchased the magazine in 1979, handing over editorial duties to the likes of Bert Sugar, Randy Gordon and Nigel Collins. Steve Farhood eventually became editor, steering the publication through boxing’s tumultuous late ’80s and ’90s, until he was succeeded by a returning Nigel Collins and then Dougie Fischer.

In 2007, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Enterprises bought The Ring, sparking concerns about impartiality given that a major promoter now owned the magazine that shaped much of the sport’s narrative. De La Hoya assured critics that an independent editorial trust would safeguard against any conflict of interest. Over time, The Ring’s ratings panel, consisting of 35 respected boxing media members, solidified the magazine’s credibility. Its rankings are considered by many to be the “official” rankings in the boxing world.

Pictured: Turki Alalshikh and Oscar De La Hoya

The Ring discontinued publication of its regular monthly print issues at the end of 2022. The company remained a digital publication, occasionally distributing special edition print issues. The monthly print edition will see a resurrection in this iteration. That portion of the business will be overseen by current editor-in-chief Dougie Fischer.

There will be minimal crossover between the print and digital staff. Fischer will have his team for the magazine. Reeno will have his team for digital, which may now include various podcasts.

The publication found itself embroiled in controversy in recent years with the handling of disgraced boxing writer Michael Montero. Montero, expelled from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) after making a series of inflammatory statements deemed racially charged, homophobic, and misogynistic, was let go from The Ring only to be quietly brought back—reportedly due to his close personal relationship with editor-in-chief Dougie Fischer. Montero’s return was a flashpoint of controversy, with many in the boxing community criticizing the magazine for its lack of accountability. This tarnished the reputation of the publication in its later years under Golden Boy’s ownership.

Sources tell Brunch Boxing that The Ring’s staff was informed of the sale in a September meeting. The sale to Alalshikh came as a surprise to many, as he was rumored to have started his own project with Boxing.net. Barring any unforeseen changes, that project will be shuttered. The Ring’s team of staff and contributors includes respected writers such as Joe Santoliquito, Francisco Salazar, Anson Wainwright, Diego Morilla, Wasim Mather, Cliff Rold and Ryan Songalia. Most of these names are expected to be reassigned or released, as the publication undergoes a complete overhaul. Most are already contributing to the publication on only a part-time basis.

Pictured: Turki Alalshikh

Interestingly, one name that has surfaced to be retained in The Ring’s new era is Ring’s current Senior Writer Jake Donovan. Donovan, one of the most respected voices in the sport, has worked closely with Reeno in the past. Ironically, Donovan was involved in a recent public spat with Turki Alalshikh. Their differences were mediated through mutual contacts. Sources suggest that Donovan could emerge as a pivotal figure in The Ring’s new direction.

The sale of The Ring raises inevitable questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given the Riyadh Season’s deep involvement in boxing promotion. As with the Golden Boy era, an independent panel is expected to be formed to maintain editorial integrity. Still, skeptics may point out the parallels between De La Hoya’s ownership and the new Saudi-backed leadership.

Despite the potential for controversy, the sale presents an opportunity to restore The Ring’s prestige, especially with key industry players like Alalshikh and Reeno at the helm. With the backing of Saudi Arabia’s deep pockets and strategic vision for the sport, The Ring could very well enter a new golden age, reestablishing itself as the definitive authority in boxing journalism.

A formal announcement of the transaction is expected soon, signaling a new chapter in the history of “The Bible of Boxing.”