Turki Alalshikh’s inventive approach to hosting marquee fights continues to push boundaries, as the Saudi promoter now has his sights set on the iconic Alcatraz Prison.
Once home to famed inmates like Al Capone and Robert Stroud, “The Birdman of Alcatraz,” the notorious San Francisco Bay landmark is now a popular tourist destination. Speaking with ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, Alalshikh floated the idea of staging a major bout on “The Rock,” potentially involving Teofimo Lopez, the current WBO junior welterweight champion.
Alalshikh isn’t limiting his ambitions to Alcatraz alone. He also mentioned the Pyramids of Mexico, the Eiffel Tower, and even the Coliseum in Italy as other possible backdrops for future fights. While some may argue that the ring is what truly matters, others won’t deny the novelty of seeing a major event happen in a setting typically reserved for movies and history books.
Fights held behind bars aren’t completely without precedent, with examples like Dwight Muhammad Qawi once returning to Rahway Prison to face James Scott. Still, a modern-era clash at Alcatraz would undoubtedly spark massive interest and headlines around the globe. Given Alalshikh’s deep pockets and track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if the concept soon turned into reality.
As for Lopez, his next move inside the ropes could involve a mandatory defense against either Jack Catterall or Arnold Barboza. Those two meet this Saturday in Manchester for the WBO’s interim super lightweight belt, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger to Lopez. The big question is whether the anticipated clash might take place in a classic fight venue or one of Alalshikh’s newly imagined and highly unorthodox locations. The idea of watching Lopez fight amid Alcatraz’s gloomy, historic corridors is bizarre - but also undeniably intriguing.
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