The Ring magazine could be set to swap hands again, with the iconic boxing publication reportedly on its way to streaming giant DAZN.
DAZN is reportedly set to acquire a controlling interest in The Ring Magazine from Saudi Arabian boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, according to several reports.
Total Boxing first reported on 1 October that the streaming giant had agreed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in The Ring, with BoxingScene reporting today (2 October) that three boxing officials have since backed up the claim.
DAZN hasn’t confirmed the transaction, telling Total Boxing that it doesn’t comment on market rumours or speculation regarding mergers and acquisitions, partnerships or rights deals.
One source told the publication that “Turki (Alalshikh) sold controlling interest of The Ring Magazine and belt to DAZN”, another source confirmed the deal had been agreed “quite a while ago”, while a third source said the process was ongoing.
Saudi Arabia’s $10m acquisition
Alalshikh’s purchase of The Ring in November 2024 reinforced Saudi Arabia’s influence over boxing, adding one of the sport’s most recognisable brands to the portfolio. At the time, reports said Alalshikh paid $10m for the publication, about $3m more than Oscar De La Hoya paid for The Ring through Golden Boy Enterprises in 2007.
Founded in 1922 by Nat Fleischer, The Ring has become one of the most influential publications in boxing and its championship belt has been held by some of the biggest names in the sport’s history, acting as close representation of the lineal title.
At the time of the acquisition, Alalshikh said he purchased 100% of the magazine and promised to bring back its print edition following a two-year absence, with the publication set to return to the US and UK markets.
Saudi Arabia had already established itself as a major force in boxing by bringing together promoters like Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, broadcasters and fighters to make some of the biggest fights in the sport, including several matchups that struggled to get over the line in previous years.
In theory, owning The Ring also made it easier to build towards certain matchups, with control of its rankings and championship handing him greater influence over which fighters could be positioned to compete for its title.
DAZN looks for an edge in boxing
DAZN is well-known among boxing fans, with the streaming platform holding rights to events from some of the sport’s biggest promoters. However, Netflix’s entry into the sport has changed the landscape, with the platform securing some of boxing’s biggest fights in recent years.
Netflix’s first major boxing event, Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson, attracted a reported 108 million global viewers in November 2024 and Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano II on the same card reached an estimated 74 million viewers.
The platform then added Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford, which reached 41.4 million global viewers, before Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul attracted a reported 33 million viewers in December 2025.
Netflix will also broadcast Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in December, a fight that has been 10 years in the making and is expected to be one of the most-watched bouts of this generation.
Much like the publication enabled Alalshikh to gain greater influence over the sport by controlling its rankings and championship belt, ownership could give DAZN an advantage when building its boxing offering.
The Ring brand could also allow DAZN to connect its editorial coverage with the fights it broadcasts and the publication’s rankings and championship could be another way of building narratives around potential matchups.
There are already financial links between DAZN and Saudi Arabia, with SURJ Sports Investment, a sports investment company backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), agreeing to acquire a minority stake in DAZN in February 2025. The deal was part of an agreement that also included plans to establish DAZN MENA, a broadcasting joint venture covering the Middle East.
