Over the past couple of years, boxing has seen a resurgence in relevance thanks to the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh. By collaborating with some of the biggest promoters in both the United States and the United Kingdom, the Saudi Royal has put together some of the biggest fights that previously remained out of reach.
Just last year, boxing got its first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 when Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury. It was followed by the light heavyweight division, which not only got its first undisputed light heavyweight champion but also saw the title get transferred to Dmitry Bivol from Artur Beterbiev.
However, now it appears the architect of Riyadh Season is eyeing to establish himself as a big player in English football as well. According to a report from Daily Mail, Millwall F.C. and Alalshikh are in talks to invest in the Championship side. Sources say several teams from the UK had approached Alalshikh in the past months, but dialogue has begun between Alalshikh and Millwall.
Millwall, who reportedly finished eighth in the EFL Championship, shut down rumors on Thursday by firmly stating the club is not for sale, denying any talks or negotiations taking place behind the scenes. Interestingly, the club is owned by Millwall Holdings Limited, now led by James Berylson following the tragic passing of his father, John Berylson, who died in a car accident in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on July 4, 2023, at the age of 70.
It’s also worth noting that Alalshikh ended his ownership of UD Almeria on May 16, 2025, by selling his shares to the SMC Group before reposting Millwall F.C.’s X post, writing, “.” This alone was enough to start speculations, but things really picked up after what Simon Jordan said previously about Alalshikh’s intentions to buy an English football club.
Simon Jordan reveals advice he gave to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh
According to a report from talkSport, Simon Jordan spilled the beans on what he advised His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to do regarding a potential investment in English football. Jordan confidently claimed that the Saudi Royal was exploring football club ownership in England. “They are looking around at other things to do,” Jordan said, reflecting on their recent discussion.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 23: Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Authority for Entertainment, looks on prior to the Day of Reckoning: Fight Night at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Jordan claimed even though he preferred English football clubs to be owned by English people, he acknowledged, “that ship has sailed, that horse has bolted.” As per his suggestion to Alalshikh, the Saudi Royal should invest in the Sheffield Wednesday F.C., which finished four places below Millwall in the second tier. “If I was buying a football club and I was really motivated and had your kind of dough, I would buy Sheffield Wednesday.”
Jordan added, “If you got that right, as I said to him, they’d put a statue of you in the town.”
That said, it appears His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is seriously interested in dipping his toes in English football. However, MillWall doesn’t seem to be in the mood to sell their football club to Alalshikh quite yet. Do you think that if this investment goes through, boxing can make its way into The Den?
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