According to Dixon’s original report, multiple sources said a deal had been agreed for DAZN to acquire control of The Ring. One source characterized the transaction as a sale of the controlling interest in both the magazine and its championship belt, while another indicated that the deal had already been completed some time ago. Pugmire’s subsequent BoxingScene report cited three boxing officials who likewise said DAZN was moving to acquire Alalshikh’s controlling interest. At the same time, reporting has indicated some uncertainty over whether the transaction has formally closed, making “reported sale” or “reported agreement to acquire a controlling interest” the most accurate description at this stage rather than presenting the change of ownership as officially completed.

The reported transaction would represent a major change for one of boxing’s most recognizable institutions. Alalshikh acquired The Ring from De La Hoya in November 2024 for $10 million, with the purchase adding the historic publication and its championship branding to his expanding influence in the sport. At the time, Alalshikh said he intended to restore the prestige of The Ring, strengthen its rankings and editorial operation, and bring back the magazine’s print edition. He also said the publication would operate independently and would have no connection to Riyadh Season.

If the reported DAZN transaction is completed, Alalshikh’s period of control will have lasted approximately 22 months, from November 2024 to October 2026. That makes the potential transfer particularly significant because it arrives at a moment when Alalshikh himself has publicly spoken about his health, his memory and the amount of time he believes he may have to accomplish his remaining ambitions in boxing. The reported transaction does not, however, by itself establish that he is retiring from the sport or withdrawing from all of his boxing interests.

Alalshikh addressed his health and his sense of urgency most recently at the September 30 launch press conference in London for Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s December 11 heavyweight fight. Speaking about his future, Alalshikh said, “In the end, I am going. Today, tomorrow. In the end, you are all making history. I don’t know in a couple of years [if] I will remember this moment or not. I have doubts about it now.” He then added, “My health in the last 4 months is not good. I have a wishlist in boxing and I want to deliver it,” before asking Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren and Nick Khan, among others, to help him accomplish those goals. Contemporary reports of the appearance confirm that Alalshikh did not announce a retirement date or provide a new diagnosis at the press conference.

Those remarks followed comments Alalshikh made to The Ring in June, when he expressed a desire to bring together Dana White, Nick Khan, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn and DAZN in an effort to resolve disputes among boxing's leading power brokers. Alalshikh said he wanted to accomplish that work “before losing my memory” and added, “I’m afraid in 2028 or 2029 I’ll forget my name.” The remarks were a statement of his personal fears and his motivation to act while he believes he is able; they should not be interpreted as a confirmed medical timetable or a declaration that he will leave boxing in 2028 or 2029.

The possibility of Alalshikh stepping back from boxing has nevertheless gained additional attention following the reported Ring transaction. On October 2, De La Hoya publicly argued that the reported sale was a signal that Alalshikh was finished with boxing and said Alalshikh had indicated that he would step back after Fury–Joshua. Those comments are De La Hoya’s interpretation of Alalshikh’s position, however, rather than a direct retirement announcement from Alalshikh. As of October 6, there has been no publicly confirmed statement from Alalshikh establishing that he is retiring from boxing altogether.

DAZN would not be an entirely new commercial partner for The Ring. Under Alalshikh’s ownership, the publication developed a relationship with the streaming platform, and in July 2025 Alalshikh announced that Riyadh Season and The Ring events would be made available to DAZN subscribers without an additional pay-per-view charge. That existing relationship gives DAZN a significant connection to the brand before any reported change in control.

The reported transaction also raises questions about the future direction of The Ring, including its editorial independence, rankings, championship policy, events and relationship with boxing promoters and broadcasters. At present, no public terms of the reported DAZN transaction have been disclosed, including a purchase price, the precise percentage of ownership changing hands, whether Alalshikh will retain a minority interest, or what operational and editorial changes may follow. The available reporting identifies DAZN as the only prospective buyer publicly named in connection with the transaction; no competing bidders or formal auction process have been disclosed.

The significance of the potential deal extends beyond the magazine itself. The Ring remains one of boxing’s most recognizable brands, while its championship belt and historical rankings carry considerable weight within the sport. A transfer of controlling interest to DAZN would place one of boxing’s most influential media properties under the control of a major global boxing broadcaster, creating inevitable questions about how the publication will balance its journalistic identity with its commercial relationship to the sport.

The Ring Magazine, famously known as "The Bible of Boxing," is the most revered and historically significant publication in professional combat sports. Founded in 1922 by boxing writer and historian Nat Fleischer, it was created to bring authority, rigorous documentation, and credibility to a sport that was deeply fractured and chaotic at the time.

History & Evolution

• The Fleischer Era (1922–1972): Nat Fleischer edited the magazine for half a century. He pioneered the concept of corporate-independent boxing rankings in 1924, helping fans and pundits clearly identify the top contenders across different weight classes.

• The Print Hiatus & Return: In late 2022, after celebrating its centenary, the magazine briefly stopped regular print publication to transition to a digital-only model. However, following a major revitalization, it returned to regular monthly print issues in 2025.

• Global Acclaim: Expanding its reach into creative sports media, The Ring earned prestigious Gold and Silver Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creative Advertising for its innovative live sports experiences and brand reimagining.

The Ring Championship Belt

Unlike the major sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) which charge heavy sanctioning fees, The Ring awards its own highly coveted Championship Belt. The title is strictly designed to recognize the lineal champion—popularly known as "the man who beat the man".

• First Champion: Jack Dempsey was recognized as the publication's inaugural heavyweight champion in 1922.

• Legendary Reigns: Icons like Joe Louis (who held the belt for nearly 12 years) and Muhammad Ali cemented the belt's prestige as the gold standard of boxing achievement.

• Modern Milestones: In recent years, superstars like Terence Crawford made history by becoming the first boxer to win The Ring title across four different weight divisions.

Ownership Transitions & Latest News

• Oscar De La Hoya Era (2007–2024): Golden Boy Enterprises owned the magazine for 17 years. Despite initial fan concerns over a promotional conflict of interest, the editorial board maintained its strict ranking independence.

• Turki Alalshikh Takeover (2024–Present): In November 2024, Saudi boxing powerbroker His Excellency Turki Alalshikh bought The Ring for a reported $10 million, modernizing its digital presence and spearheading its return to print.

• DAZN Sale Rumors (October 2026): Highly credible reports from major boxing insiders indicate that Alalshikh has finalized a deal to sell a controlling interest in The Ring to sports streaming giant DAZN, though an official public announcement from the corporate entities remains pending.