Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix
| Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix at the Riyadh Season 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Venue | BLVD City Global Theater, Riyadh |
| Location | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  |
| Dates | April 17–20, 2025 (Phase 1); June 20–21, 2025 (Phase 2); |
| Competitors | 128 (32 per weight class) from Over 40 nations |
| Total prize money | Over US $4,400,000 |
The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix is an international boxing tournament organized by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season initiative. Conceived supported by Turki Alalshikh and under the leadership of WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, the event is positioned as the first-ever World Boxing Championship in a tournament format. It features a single-elimination structure across four male weight divisions — Featherweight, Super Lightweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight — and spans five phases throughout 2025,[1][2] bringing together 128 fighters from 41 countries competing across all stages.[3][4]
Overview
[edit]All participants are enrolled in the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program in cooperation with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). The tournament winner in each weight class is awarded the José Sulaimán Trophy (Flame of Hope) and a WBC Silver title opportunity; independent coverage has also reported a winner’s purse of around US$220,000 per division.[5][6] The tournament is sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission (MEPB).[7]
Participating nations
[edit]128 boxers from 43 nations competed in the Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix[8].
Argentina (6)
Australia (4)
Belgium (1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (2)
Canada (3)
Republic of the Congo (1)
China (4)
Colombia (5)
Croatia (1)
Czech Republic (1)
Denmark (1)
Dominican Republic (1)
Egypt (1)
Spain (3)
Finland (1)
France (6)
Great Britain (3)
Germany (2)
Ghana (4)
Guatemala (1)
Ireland (1)
Italy (4)
Jordan (2)
Kazakhstan (5)
Kenya (1)
Morocco (2)
Mexico (12)
Netherlands (1)
Nigeria (3)
Panama (1)
Philippines (3)
Poland (3)
Romania (1)
South Africa (4)
Tanzania (1)
Turkey (1)
Ukraine (11)
United States (13)
Uzbekistan (5)
Venezuela (3)
Phases
[edit]Phase 1 (April 17–20, 2025)
[edit]The first phase took place at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 128 competitors (32 per division) from more than 40 countries participated. Bouts were scheduled for six rounds with no possibility of a draw; open scoring was used (judges’ tallies revealed after rounds two and four), and instant replay was available.[9] The phase ran April 17–20 and was broadcast live on DAZN.[10]
Innovations included instant replay, a 30‑second warning buzzer near the end of each round, and distinctive green-and-gold uniforms for fighters. All participants were covered by medical and life insurance under the Clean Boxing Program.[11]
Phase 2 (June 20–21, 2025)
[edit]The second stage, held at the BLVD Skate Rink in Riyadh, featured 64 fighters — 16 per division — representing 29 nations, with the same six‑round format and officiating innovations as Phase 1.[12][13]
Phase 3 (August 13, 2025)
[edit]The quarter‑final stage brought together 32 fighters — eight per division — competing for places in the semi‑finals. Results for the four brackets were reported by multiple outlets, including Yahoo Sports.[14]
Phase 4 Semi-finals (October 19, 2025)
[edit]The semi-finals took place on October 19, 2025, in Riyadh.[15]
Featherweight
[edit]Mexico’s Brandon Mejía Mosqueda defeated South Africa’s Bekizizwe Innocent Maitse via stoppage in the 5th round, displaying superior output and ring control and finishing the fight with a body shot. Italy’s Muhamet Qamili advanced to the final with a first round stoppage victory over France’s Yoni Diego Lorenzo Sebastien Valverde Lopez.
Super Lightweight
[edit]In the Super Lightweight semifinals, Uzbekistan’s Mujibillo Tursunov outpointed Ukraine’s Danylo Lozan by majority decision, using fast combinations and steady body work. Colombia’s Carlos Utría stopped South Africa’s Ntethelelo Nkosi in the first round after sustained inside pressure and short hooks forced the referee to halt the contest.
Middleweight
[edit]Canada’s Derek Pomerleau defeated Colombia’s Carlos Sinisterra Palacios by majority decision, controlling the action with straight punches and forward pressure. Australia’s Dylan Biggs earned a unanimous decision win over France’s Lancelot Proton de la Chappelle after six closely contested rounds to book his place in the final.
Heavyweight
[edit]In the Heavyweight division, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ahmed Krnjić won a split decision over South Africa’s Keaton Gomes, effectively using his jab and counter left hand to control distance. Argentina’s Kevin Ramirez advanced to the final by defeating the United States’ Dante Stone via split decision.
Phase 5 (December 20, 2025)
[edit]The Grand Finale is scheduled for December 20, 2025 in Riyadh[16], with champions in each division to be determined.[17] The winners will lift the José Sulaimán Trophy (Flame of Hope).[18]
Featherweight
[edit]Source for quarter‑final results:
Bracket
[edit]
Super Lightweight
[edit]Source for quarter‑final results:
Bracket
[edit]Middleweight
[edit]Source for quarter‑final results: [19]
Bracket
[edit]Heavyweight
[edit]Source for quarter‑final results: [20]
Bracket
[edit]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Esco, Wil (2024-12-11). "'The World Cup of the sport': Turki Alalshikh and Mauricio Sulaiman announce Grand Prix tournament". Bad Left Hook, Global Boxing News and Commentary. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "Mauricio Sulaiman, Turki Alalshikh unveil WBC Grand Prix of Boxing". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix: Enhanced results and instant replays - a new template for boxing?".
- ^ "Con 128 peleadores de 41 países, presenta WBC Grand Prix de boxeo". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "Rules For Inaugural Boxing Grand Prix With Riyadh Season". RingMagazine.com. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "WBC Announces Details For First Ever Boxing Grand Prix In Collaboration With Riyadh Season". KO On SI. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "Weight tolerance permitted for WBC Boxing Grand Prix participants". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix's First Stage Concludes in Riyadh, 64 Fighters Prepare for June Showdowns". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix: Enhanced results and instant replays - a new template for boxing?".
- ^ "El Grand Prix de boxeo, cuna de las futuras grandes estrellas". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix in favor of clean boxing - World Boxing Council". 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "WBC Grand Prix Beginning To Take Shape With First Round Set For Next Month | Boxing News". boxingnewsonline.net. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix: Phase 2, Day 2".
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix quarter-finals full results".
- ^ "DAZN Boxing Schedule 2025: Fight dates and live stream for confirmed cards".
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix's First Stage Concludes in Riyadh, 64 Fighters Prepare for June Showdowns". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream".
- ^ "The Glory of The José Sulaiman Trophy beckons - World Boxing Council". 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix quarter-finals full results".
- ^ "WBC Boxing Grand Prix quarter-finals full results".