Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix
The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix is an international boxing tournament organized by the World Boxing Council 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, bringing together 128 fighters from 41 countries competing across all stages.
Overview
All participants are enrolled in the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program in cooperation with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. The tournament winner in each weight class is awarded the José Sulaimán Trophy and a WBC Silver title opportunity; independent coverage has also reported a winner’s purse of around US$220,000 per division. The tournament is sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission.
Participating nations
128 boxers from 43 nations competed in the Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix.
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Phases
Phase 1 (April 17–20, 2025)
The first phase took place at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 128 competitors from more than 40 countries participated. Bouts were scheduled for six rounds with no possibility of a draw; open scoring was used, and instant replay was available. The phase ran April 17–20 and was broadcast live on DAZN.
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.
Phase 2 (June 20–21, 2025)
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.
Phase 3 (August 13, 2025)
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.
Phase 4 ''Semi-finals'' (October 19, 2025)
The semi-finals took place on October 19, 2025, in Riyadh.
Featherweight
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.
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
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.
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 Cristopher Ramirez advanced to the final by defeating the United States’ Dante Stone via split decision.
Phase 5 (December 20, 2025)
The Grand Finale is scheduled for December 20, 2025 in Riyadh, with champions in each division to be determined. The winners will lift the José Sulaimán Trophy.
Featherweight
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Super Lightweight
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Middleweight
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Heavyweight
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