Lionel Messi Joins Hands with Turki Alalshikh to Issue a Challenge to Naoya Inoue

Undisputed bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is undoubtedly the talk of the town. With a jealously inducing winning streak and a knockout ratio of 88.4%, he has every fighter in the division eyeing a potential fight against him. However, it now looks like Inoue has received a challenge to fight from the most unlikely of places.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TURKI ALALSHIKH تركي آل الشيخ (@turkialalshik)

Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment, Turki Alalshikh, recently took to social media, holding a boxing championship belt, which looked eerily similar to the WBC belt, to call out the Japanese boxing superstar. Moreover, assisting him in this endeavor was none other than soccer legend Lionel Messi.

“We challenge you, Naoya Inoue,” Alalshikh wrote.

Messi, who is currently captaining Inter Miami CF, is the global tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia and was visiting the country on Alalshikh’s invitation.

Inoue was last seen in an impressive showdown against Marlon Tapales (37-4, 19 KOs) at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo in December. He went on to win the fight via a 10th-round KO and, in turn, the undisputed & Ring Magazine champion.

While the call-out might have been a joke, most fans will agree on the outcome of the fight if it actually takes place.

‘The map is changing’

Alalshikh had a significant hand in potentially making Saudi Arabia the next ‘Mecca of Boxing .’The country had recently hosted Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) vs. Otto Wallin (26-2-1, 14 KOs) and Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) vs. Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) at the ‘Day of Reckoning.’

Alalshikh mentioned that the country does not plan to pause hosting fights anytime soon. “We don’t stop. The people need to see Fury vs. Usyk and the rematch between Fury and Usyk. Joshua vs Fury, Fury vs Joshua, if Joshua wins. And I send message from you now, the result of Artur and Bivol, play against Opetaia,” he said.

He further added that the country looks forward to hosting bigger fights in the future. “I want fighters. That’s why Saudi Arabia, why not Saudi Arabia? The map is changing,” he said.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

See author's posts