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Saudi Arabia is serious about taking over boxing with grand plans for heavyweight division
For the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight, Saudi Arabia has invited a phalanx of boxing and MMA legends like never seen before
The greatest heavyweight fights in boxing history have taken place in the United States, with sojourns for ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ (Zaire) and ‘The Thrilla in Manila’ (Philippines). Even the UK has had its moment in the sun. But now the landscape is changing and Saudi Arabia is serious about becoming the go-to destination for ‘the richest prize in sport’.
The shift has come and Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in heavyweight boxing. This week in Riyadh for the build-up to Tyson Fury versus Francis Ngannou has proved this. No expense has been spared on what has felt like a colossal event.
Heavyweight boxing’s rich and resonant past has often represented changing forms in society, emblematic of the human principles of struggle, survival and success bringing together colours and creeds in a small ring with primeval combat.
It makes it unique. Dramatic. Theatric. Yet very, very real. For that reason – and the gargantuan purses it can generate – it has captured the imagination in all corners of the globe.
Since it was announced in July that Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season would commence its fourth edition with a boxing match featuring world heavyweight champion Fury against former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion Ngannou, major signals have been made about the desire to bring heavyweight boxing to Saudi Arabia.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority and Chairman of Riyadh Season Turki Al-Sheikh said: “Such a match will set a new standard for this event [Riyadh Season], which maintains its status as one of the most anticipated entertainment seasons around the world.”
Since then, it was announced that the undisputed heavyweight title between Fury and rival reigning world champion Oleksandr Usyk, of Ukraine, had been ‘signed’. All the belts under the same roof, contested here in the Middle East, with a burning ambition to see the two undefeated fighters walk to the ring before the end of the year. It has been mooted it could be on December 23. Not since Lennox Lewis fought Evander Holyfield in 1999 has there been an undisputed heavyweight king.
Lewis, the last lineal champion, told Telegraph Sport: “They are serious about it. It’s the first time in history that anyone has done this – bringing all these great champions together – and it shows what they want to do. We are going to have an undisputed champion again. It needed to happen. When Fury and Usyk meet, it will be a very interesting fight. This is special.”
This week, within the fight bubble, it has had the feel of an Olympic Games: grand arrivals, impressive sets for the workouts, press conference and weigh-ins. And on Friday night, a gala dinner, amassing a phalanx of legends from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts like never seen before.
Mike Tyson rubbed shoulders with old foe Lewis, Sugar Ray Leonard graced the scene, Manny Pacquiao chatted to Amir Khan and Larry Holmes entranced all with his presence.
The atmosphere in the room bridged generations on a night when the greats took selfies with each other in every corner of a huge ballroom. Usyk was there too and he and Fury embraced as the evening closed.
The night was part of a statement from Saudi Arabia in the same way that several other sports have piqued their interest. Cristiano Ronaldo was there, as was rap artist Eminem. It helps that His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh is a passionate boxing aficionado, intrigued by the sport and its history.
It is possible that the biggest heavyweight fights of the era could all alight here. That is certainly the view of promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren, who oversee Fury’s career in the USA and UK respectively.
Warren said: “I said it all along, when we first signed the Fury-Ngannou fight with His Excellency, that this was a game-changer, and look around you. When have you ever seen an event like this?”
Fury, indeed, has spoken this week of his treatment in the UK. Speaking on IFL TV, the WBC heavyweight title holder explained how he had never had so much as “a thank you letter or a well done” from the UK Government.
In Saudi Arabia, by contrast, the towering fighter has been recognised as the ‘Gypsy King’. It says it all about how much interest is being shown and invested in Fury, and his group of fellow heavyweights, in this era.