GEA Chairman Launches Riyadh Season, Crowns Boxer Artur Beterbiev as Light Heavyweight World Champion

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Advisor Turki Alalshikh Saturday evening launched Riyadh Season at the Kingdom Arena. Alalshikh thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unremitting support for the entertainment sector and Riyadh Season, whose success has reverberated throughout the world. At the start of the fifth edition of the globally anticipated season, Alalshikh crowned Russian boxer Artur Beterbiev undisputed world light heavyweight champion. Beterbiev, who already held the IBF, WBC, and WBO titles, defeated Russian Dmitry Bivol in an IV Crown Showdown to capture the WBA belt. The IV Crown Showdown began with four rounds, with Serbian Marko Maric achieving unanimous victory over his Mexican opponent Christian Lopez, in the middleweight division. Saudi boxer Mohammed Al-Aql, in the same weight class, won u nanimously after four rounds against Colombian Jesus Gonzalez. The fight between British Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron ended in a draw. In the women's fight, Australian Skye Nicolson retained her featherweight world boxing title by defeating British Raven Chapman with unanimous decision. In the IBO middleweight championship, British Chris Eubank Jr. defeated Polish Kamil Szeremeta by knockout, after controlling all 7 rounds. The season's grand opening was a dazzling spectacle featuring captivating performances, vibrant fireworks, and a stunning drone show. The Riyadh Season logo was illuminated in the night sky above Boulevard World, one of the largest and most popular destinations in the city. Source: Saudi Press Agency