Naoya Inoue, the reigning unified super bantamweight champion, has signed a large sponsorship agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, a government-backed entertainment initiative. The deal, estimated to be worth around 3 billion yen, was finalized during Inoue's recent visit to Riyadh.

On November 2, Inoue arrived in the Saudi capital accompanied by his gym president, Hideyuki Ohashi. He met with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, to formalize the agreement. This partnership coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan, positioning Inoue as a prominent figure to foster ties between the two nations.

Inoue’s negotiations with Alalshikh began on October 24 during the chairman's visit to Japan. After two days of discussions, Inoue expressed his satisfaction with the contract, stating, “I believe this is not a stage everyone can reach. As I enter the latter half of my career, this contract has motivated me and brings excitement for my future.”

Alalshikh highlighted that Inoue joins the ranks of notable boxers like Terence Crawford and Tyson Fury, who have previously secured large sponsorships with the Riyadh Season initiative. The deal is expected to feature the Riyadh Season logo prominently on Inoue's trunks and promotional materials.

“I see Inoue as the best and strongest boxer of all time,” Alalshikh stated, emphasizing Inoue’s potential as a vital ambassador for both Saudi Arabia and its entertainment projects. Inoue acknowledged Alalshikh's passion for boxing, noting, “He truly loves boxing and is a genuine fan.”

While the current sponsorship agreement does not require Inoue to fight in Saudi Arabia, he remains open to the possibility. “It’s all about timing,” he commented. “I have fights scheduled for this year, and I don’t know what will happen next year. If I can fight in Saudi Arabia, I will simply meet those expectations and deliver the performance I do in Japan.”

Riyadh Season, launched in 2019, is a significant government initiative that hosts a variety of events ranging from sports to live entertainment, aimed at revitalizing the entertainment sector both locally and internationally. The project has already gained attention for hosting major boxing events, including Tyson Fury's high-profile match against Francis Ngannou in October 2023.

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