RAVISHING IN RIYADH

Ryan makes winning start to unique event

- BY GERRY CALLAN

DUBLIN middleweight 'Ravishing' Paul Ryan made a winning start to the most unique tournament in the entire history of professional boxing.

Over four days and nights last weekend, a mammoth 128 boxers - 90 of them unbeaten - took part in 64 fights at the Global Theatre in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in round one of the WBC Grand Prix.

It marked the realisation of a long-held dream of the late Jose Sulaiman, the president of the Mexico City-based sanctioning body from December 1975 until his death in January 2014.

His now-54-year-od son Mauricio succeeded his father and, after years of planning, the Grand Prix concept is finally up and running.

The promoter of record is Christian Cherchi but the real power lies with the new supremo of world boxing Turki Alalshikh and his limitless chequebook.

Involving four weights (featherweight, light-welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight), the stated aim of the Grand Prix is to highlight emerging boxing talent, particularly fighters that are not aligned to a major promoter.