The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix is an international boxing tournament organized by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in collaboration with Saudi ArabiaâÂÂs 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 â Featherweight, Super Lightweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight â and spans five phases throughout 2025, bringing together 128 fighters from 41 countries competing across all stages.
All participants are enrolled in the WBCâÂÂs Clean Boxing Program in cooperation with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). The tournament winner in each weight class is awarded the José Sulaimán Trophy (Flame of Hope) and a WBC Silver title opportunity; independent coverage has also reported a winnerâÂÂs purse of around US$220,000 per division. The tournament is sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission (MEPB).
128 boxers from 43 nations competed in the Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix.
The first phase took place at the BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 128 competitors (32 per division) from more than 40 countries participated. Bouts were scheduled for six rounds with no possibility of a draw; open scoring was used (judgesâ tallies revealed after rounds two and four), and instant replay was available. The phase ran April 17âÂÂ20 and was broadcast live on DAZN.
Innovations included instant replay, a 30âÂÂsecond 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.
The second stage, held at the BLVD Skate Rink in Riyadh, featured 64 fighters â 16 per division â representing 29 nations, with the same sixâÂÂround format and officiating innovations as Phase 1.
The quarterâÂÂfinal stage brought together 32 fighters â eight per division â competing for places in the semiâÂÂfinals. Results for the four brackets were reported by multiple outlets, including Yahoo Sports.
The semi-finals took place on October 19, 2025, in Riyadh.
MexicoâÂÂs Brandon MejÃÂa Mosqueda defeated South AfricaâÂÂs Bekizizwe Innocent Maitse via stoppage in the 5th round, displaying superior output and ring control and finishing the fight with a body shot. ItalyâÂÂs Muhamet Qamili advanced to the final with a first round stoppage victory over FranceâÂÂs Yoni Diego Lorenzo Sebastien Valverde Lopez.
In the Super Lightweight semifinals, UzbekistanâÂÂs Mujibillo Tursunov outpointed UkraineâÂÂs Danylo Lozan by majority decision, using fast combinations and steady body work. ColombiaâÂÂs Carlos UtrÃÂa stopped South AfricaâÂÂs Ntethelelo Nkosi in the first round after sustained inside pressure and short hooks forced the referee to halt the contest.
CanadaâÂÂs Derek Pomerleau defeated ColombiaâÂÂs Carlos Sinisterra Palacios by majority decision, controlling the action with straight punches and forward pressure. AustraliaâÂÂs Dylan Biggs earned a unanimous decision win over FranceâÂÂs Lancelot Proton de la Chappelle after six closely contested rounds to book his place in the final.
In the Heavyweight division, Bosnia and HerzegovinaâÂÂs Ahmed Krnjiàwon a split decision over South AfricaâÂÂs Keaton Gomes, effectively using his jab and counter left hand to control distance. ArgentinaâÂÂs Kevin Cristopher Ramirez advanced to the final by defeating the United Statesâ Dante Stone via split decision.
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 (Flame of Hope).
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Source for quarter-final results:
Source for quarter-final results:
Source for quarter-final results: