FOUR mega-wealthy sports stars look bang on the money with a Saudi mogul in a billion-pound line-up.
Boxers Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou were joined in Riyadh by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and promoter Turki Alalshikh.
It was a rare joint appearance by Joshua — said to be worth £200million — and his £125million rival Fury.
Their combined fortunes are just over half the estimated £600million amassed by Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Alalshikh, dubbed His Excellency for his ability to tie-up fight deals, is worth £70million while Ngannou is the pauper of the group at £5million.
A boxing source said: “This is literally a billion dollar picture.
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“When you look at those stars and how much they are worth, as well as Mr Alalshikh, the mind boggles.
“He holds the influence and the purse strings. Saudi is looking to overtake Vegas as the fight capital of the world and Alalshikh is a massive part of that.”
The photocall came ahead of Joshua’s heavyweight clash with former mixed martial arts star Ngannou tomorrow night.
WBC champ Fury — set to fight IBF holder Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi on May 18 — is there to support his brother, Roman, who fights on the undercard.
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He posted online: “I want the winner after I smash the rabbit.”
Alalshikh also teased an upcoming project with Ronaldo, who is the highest-paid footballer in history following his move to Saudi club Al-Nassr in 2022.
The Portuguese megastar has a reported £173million salary, plus multiple deals with sponsors including Armani and Tag Heuer.
AJ — who has said he wants to become a billionaire — is raking in about £10million a fight, and the bankable star enjoys a string of commercial tie-ups.
This is literally a billion dollar picture
Boxing source
Fury’s earnings rocketed when he beat then-world champ Wladimir Klitshcko in 2015.
The Gypsy King now commands huge purses for each fight, with claims he will bank about £100million for the Usyk showdown.
Cameroon-born Ngannou was reportedly paid about £500,000 for his last UFC heavyweight bout – but his earnings have soared since he switched to boxing.
He knocked Fury down in their fight last October before losing on points.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
