RIYADH SEASON TO HOST $VET POWER SLAP 17: BLACKBURN VS YOUNG PRESENTED BY MONSTER ENERGY
RIYADH SEASON TO HOST $VET POWER SLAP 17: BLACKBURN VS YOUNG PRESENTED BY
MONSTER ENERGY
TICKETS GO ON SALE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30
EVENT STREAMS LIVE & FREE ACROSS THE GLOBE ON YOUTUBE
AVAILABLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ON MBC NETWORKS
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Power Slap, in partnership with Riyadh Season, today announced its seventeenth live event ahead of its return to Saudi Arabia with $VET POWER SLAP 17: BLACKBURN vs YOUNG, PRESENTED BY MONSTER ENERGY on Friday, October 31 at the Mohammed Abdo Arena. The event will be streamed live and free to a global audience on Power Slap’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/@powerslap and across the Middle East on MBC Networks.
Power Slap achieved tremendous success following its debut in Saudi Arabia at Riyadh Season in January, thrilling both local and international fans. POWER SLAP 11 was a sold-out crowd and shattered records, becoming the most viewed livestream and the best-performing event on social with 670 million total views. The event’s digital footprint surpassed all major sporting moments in January 2025.
HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said: “Riyadh Season has built a reputation for hosting a diverse range of events that have an appeal to a global audience. The attention the first Power Slap event in the Kingdom attracted was huge in January and we look forward to welcoming even more of the world’s best players when they come to compete in Riyadh this October.”
“The last time I brought Power Slap to Saudi Arabia the crowd was incredible. They knew everything about the sport – the athletes, the rules, the countdown to the slap – it was awesome,” said Power Slap founder Dana White. “This sport continues to grow and I can’t wait to bring Power Slap back to Saudi Arabia next month.”
Headlining Power Slap 17 will be a welterweight title match between undefeated champion Anthony “Babyface” Blackburn (6-0, 3 KOs) and No. 4 contender Cole “Full Send” Young (3-2, 2 KOs). Blackburn has established himself as a dominant champion, holding the belt since he won it at Power Slap 8 and successfully defending it twice. Known for his unshakable composure, Blackburn’s striking style combines calculated accuracy with devastating force, making him one of the most respected champions in Power Slap. Young is a rising force in the welterweight division, known for his standout power. He is coming off an impressive first round KO over Rod Alavi at Power Slap 11 and now intends to shock the world with another highlight reel to capture the title.
In the co-main event, No. 1 ranked Power Slap heavyweight Dorian “Disturbing The Peace” Perez (4-3, 2 KOs) steps back up on stage to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 6 ranked heavyweight Zakir Naimanayev (2-1, 2 KOs) in a match set to deliver excitement. Perez, with a background in competitive sports, has built a reputation for delivering hard-hitting performances and an iron chin. Naimanayev made a statement in his debut at Power Slap 11 with a highlight-reel knockout and followed it up with another first-round KO at Power Slap 14. He now plans to keep his momentum going when he faces Perez.
$VET POWER SLAP 17: BLACKBURN vs YOUNG, PRESENTED BY MONSTER ENERGY tickets will go on general sale on Tuesday, September 30, at webook.com.
Additional matches will be announced in the coming weeks.
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