Turki Alalshikh Under Fire For Actions During Hamzah Sheeraz vs Carlos Adames

Turki Alalshikh appeared to try and help Hazah Sheeraz during his title bout vs. Carlos Adames.

Turki Al-Sheikh, advisor at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister and the current chairman of general authority for entertainment, walks on the field before the game between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami CF. | Victor Fraile-Imagn Images

There's more controversy than the decision for Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz.

During the fight, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and head of Riyadh Season, went to Sheeraz's corner and told him some form of a scorecard. The fight was scored a split draw with the scorecards being 115-114 Sheeraz, 118-110 Adames and 114-114.

Footage has emerged of Turki Alalshikh reading the scorecards to Hamzah Sheeraz, midway through his match with Carlos Adames.

Turki tells Hamzah he is losing by 2 rounds & instructs his team, to make sure the message is relayed.#BeterbievsBivol2 #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/RntP2hAdaw

— Raf (elusive2.0) (@elusiveraf) February 22, 2025

Even if Alalshikh was just telling Sheeraz his actual scorecard, the organizer of an event telling a fighter the way a fight is being scored isn't a good look, especially when the result is a disputed decision in which most believed Adames won. Among those who weren't a fan of Alalshikh attempting to help Sheeraz was CBS Sports writer and co-host of Morning Kombat, Brian Campbell.

Whether Turki had access to the actual scorecards mid-fight or he was simply sharing his score to Sheeraz and his team, that's a BAD BAD look given his seat of power.

— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) February 22, 2025

Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs), who retained his WBC middleweight title with the decision, out-landed Sheeraz 143 to 135 in total punches and 90 to 48 in power punches landed, per CompuBox. Of the 135 punches Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) landed, 87 were jabs. Adames also had a response to seeing Alalshikh being in Sheeraz's corner during the fight.

What round is it?🤔 https://t.co/sYEiuNCJXY

— Carlos Adames (@BroncoAdames) February 23, 2025

It's one thing for a promoter to be supporting their fighter and trying to urge them on like Sheeraz's promoter, Frank Warren, did. But for Alalshikh to do that and have a bias toward a fighter doesn't paint him in a positive light.

There's no disputing Alalshikh's impact on boxing and how it has helped the sport take numerous steps forward. But if he was indeed reading the judge's scorecards to Sheeraz, it's a bad look and hopefully not a sign of things to come when it comes to fights involving fighters he has a bias toward.

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