Turki Alalshikh's Broken Promise: Betraying Boxing Fans by Charging for Benavidez vs. Yarde on PPV
- Boxing News (https://www.badlefthook.com/boxing-news)
Fans who subscribe to DAZN are being forced to pay extra for the upcoming David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde fight, despite assurances from Turki Alalshikh that this wouldn't happen.
Oct 16, 2025, 9:26 PM UTC
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Patrick Stumberg (https://www.badlefthook.com/authors/patrick-stumberg) is a freelance writer for SB Nation, starting with the network in 2011 and joining Bad Left Hook in 2015.
Imagine tuning into what you thought was going to be a free boxing extravaganza, only to hit a paywall – that's the frustration boxing enthusiasts are facing right now. Earlier this year, Turki Alalshikh made a bold pledge (https://www.badlefthook.com/2025/7/16/24469120/riyadh-season-ditch-ppv-model-august-boxing-news-2025) that every event under the Riyadh Season banner and The Ring promotions, starting from the Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte matchup onward, would be available at no additional cost to DAZN subscribers. He specifically pointed to the November 22nd showdown between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde as the kickoff for this new era of accessibility. But here's where it gets controversial: Alalshikh's words turned out to be empty. DAZN has now officially priced the event as a pay-per-view (PPV) package, costing $59.99 in the US and £24.99 in the UK.
To paint a clearer picture for newcomers to the boxing world, PPV means you pay a one-time fee to watch a specific event, much like renting a movie instead of streaming it for free on your subscription. This model has long been a staple in sports entertainment, but it can feel like a bait-and-switch when promised otherwise. And this is the part most people miss: reports from City AM (https://www.cityam.com/dazn-set-to-unveil-subscription-featuring-all-pay-per-view-events/) suggest that DAZN is gearing up to introduce a "premium" subscription level that bundles all PPV events into one package, offering what they describe as exceptional value. DAZN's Pete Oliver has hinted that this new tier could roll out in November, potentially making future fights more affordable if you opt for it. However, as things stand today, viewers can only access Benavidez vs. Yarde by combining a basic DAZN subscription with the separate PPV purchase – no shortcuts.
You might be tempted to argue that Alalshikh didn't technically deceive anyone, given the upcoming premium tier. After all, "technically correct is the best kind of correct" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIzMuPMicGc), as the saying goes. But let's unpack this: even if the premium option materializes, it doesn't erase the original promise of free access for existing subscribers. Whether Alalshikh genuinely intended to honor his word initially before financial realities intervened – perhaps after reviewing profit margins – or if this was a calculated move from the start, the outcome is the same: trust has been eroded. For beginners wondering why this matters, consider how such reversals can sour the fan experience; it's like promising a free concert ticket, only to add an unexpected fee at the gate.
This incident shines a light on a broader, uncomfortable truth about powerful figures in sports. And here's where opinions might sharply divide: oligarchs, those ultra-wealthy individuals wielding immense influence, aren't typically motivated by the well-being of everyday fans. No one climbs to such heights of power without putting their personal gains first (https://www.badlefthook.com/2024/8/8/24216122/making-boxing-a-dictatorship-would-be-bad-actually-boxing-news-2024). To illustrate, think of it like a tech mogul launching a "free" app that later introduces hidden costs – it prioritizes revenue over user loyalty.
What do you think, boxing community? Is Alalshikh's pledge just a harmless pivot in response to market demands, or a clear case of misleading fans for profit? Do you believe oligarchs can ever truly have fans' best interests at heart, or is self-interest an inescapable part of their DNA? Share your takes in the comments below – I'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or any counterpoints you might have!
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