Turki Alalshikh has Mike Coppinger’s report on a Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli publicly backed fight and pushed back claims that the deal has not yet been finalised.
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In a short video posted to X, Alalshikh commented from Dan Rafael, who reported that no contract had been signed. Standing with Mike Coppinger, Alalshikh said: “Done. That’s not true. Coppinger lied. We don’t have the contract. We just have our word,” while Coppinger could be seen giggling nervously during the clip.
Then, my friend, we never learn. When I say it’s done, it’s done. The word comes before the paper 💜 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MkQbowJa8K
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 1, 2026
Rafael previously wrote that while Canelo Alvarez has agreed to terms, the Christian Mbilli team is still working through details and has not signed paperwork. He added that “nothing has been signed,” describing the situation as incomplete despite progress.
Coppinger responded directly to X and defended his report that the fight was over.
“When I say it’s done, it’s done. The word gets in front of the paper,” he said.
The Rafael factor
Dan Rafael’s position centers on a long-standing standard in boxing reporting: a fight is not considered official until contracts are signed.
His report that no paperwork has been completed follows that approach, even as Mike Coppinger and Turki Alalshikh have publicly treated the deal as complete based on a verbal agreement.
Alalshikh’s own comments, admitting that “we don’t have the contract,” confirmed that detail, while also making it clear that, for his part, the absence of a signed document does not change the status of the fight.
Word vs Paper
For years, reporters like Dan Rafael built credibility by waiting for signed contracts before calling a fight official.
This standard is now being tested. In the current Riyadh-backed model, verbal agreements, especially those supported by Alalshikh, are often considered final before paperwork.
Mike Coppinger took this view here and stands by his report based on agreed terms rather than signed documents.
Rafael stuck to the traditional approach and pointed out that no contract exists yet.
The video captures that separation. Alalshikh confirms that there is no signed agreement, while still calling the fight done, and Coppinger stands by him and supports that position.
No official contract announcement has been issued, and no additional details about the fight have been formally confirmed beyond the initial report.
Last updated on 2026/05/01 at 10:48
