The Big Lead

Alcatraz set to host world championship event

By Joe Lago

Nov 19, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of Alcatraz Island before the NFL game between the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
Nov 19, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of Alcatraz Island before the NFL game between the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Turki Alalshikh, boxing's new power broker, is doing all he can to reinvigorate the troubled sport.

The chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority has provided the deep-pocketed financial support to entice top boxers to face off in the most fan friendly fight cards in years with his Riyadh Season events.

RELATED: Boxing's next megafight set for September in Las Vegas

Last week, Alalshikh lured away Canelo Alvarez from a Netflix showcase against Jake Paul, convincing the pay-per-view king and Mexican star to choose a four-fight, $400 million deal. Alvarez's decision drew the ire of Paul, who called him "a money-hungry squirrel" in an Instagram rant.

For his next trick, Alalshikh is looking to put on a fight card in the most unusual location — Alcatraz Island.

On Tuesday, The Ring Magazine reported Teofimo Lopez is close to agreeing to a contract that would have the Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion fight inside the famed federal penitentiary in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

Lopez's three-fight deal would begin with the Alcatraz card in June or July. An opponent has yet to be determined.

The 27-year-old Lopez (21-0 with 13 knockouts) has not fought since last June, when he scored a unanimous-decision victory against Steve Claggett. When focused, the Brooklyn native can be one of boxing's most dominating performers in the ring.

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