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Boxing

Vision 2030: Just how has Riyadh Season helped to grow Saudi Arabia's boxing legacy?

DAZN Staff
Vision 2030: Just how has Riyadh Season helped to grow Saudi Arabia's boxing legacy?Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

There will be a familiar sight on the Najd plateau this week, at the heart of the an-Nafud desert - one unthinkable as recently as a decade ago across the sporting world.

Flights from all over the globe will descend in their masses for what has fast become a commonplace sight - the carnival of a marquee fight week promoted by Riyadh Season.

In the space of less than a generation, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the centrepiece of world boxing, a transformational powerhouse that represents just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2016, when Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman launched Vision 2030 to diversify the nation as a social, economic and cultural powerhouse, sport was always on the agenda.

There has been the launch of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the disruption of LIV Golf, and - confirmed this month - the Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA World Cup as its culmination.

But led by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, it has been the rise of the country as the premier destination for combat sports and lucrative supercards that has solidified its place.

As Riyadh Season's Reignited pits Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury together for a second time on DAZN Pay-Per-View, DAZN News charts the story of Saudi boxing in five major fights. 

Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. 2 (December 2019)

Watch on YouTube

Few shocks rattled heavyweight boxing quite like the Briton's first career loss to the Mexican-American at Madison Square Garden and an immediate rematch was sanctioned.

Joshua was bidding to reclaim the WBA, IBF and WBO titles he had lost to Ruiz in New York six months prior, but for the first time, neither man would have home advantage.

Saudi Arabia made their entry into the world of elite boxing, reportedly paying $41.1 million for the privilege, with the bout dubbed Clash on the Dunes and held at Diriyah Arena.

Joshua comfortably outboxed his foe - who appeared to have spent the intervening half-year enjoying life for the most part - and took a unanimous decision before a starry crowd.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 (August 2022)

Olexandr Usyk vs. Anthony JoshuaMatchroom

It would not be a happy hunting ground three years later for Joshua upon his return to the country. In the intervening years, the Briton had held onto his titles since beating Ruiz.

But defeat to Usyk, the ex-undisputed cruiserweight champion, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in one of the first big post-pandemic fights in September 2021, saw him lose again.

The rematch took Joshua back to the desert looking to avenge a unanimous decision defeat - but ultimately, The Cat proved to have too much again in a hard-fought encounter.

Usyk won by split decision at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with an emotionally charged Joshua visibly struggling in the aftermath of the fight and facing further criticism.

Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury (February 2023)

paul-fury-20230226-ftr(Jonathan Walley)

Professional boxing took a hit during the pandemic, with crowds kept away by the Covid-19 virus, and large-scale events looked to be off the cards for a prolonged time afterwards.

But Saudi Arabia built their presence during the downtime, and proved they could appeal beyond traditional boxing circles when they hosted the former YouTuber's latest bout.

The Problem Child was still in the process of legitimising his transition into the professional ranks, and even against a minor member of the Fury family, faced his toughest test.

The latter won a close contest by split decision, handing Paul his only career loss to date, while the resulting social media hype helped further generate interest for Saudi boxing.

Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou (October 2023)

Fury-Ngannou_28-10-2023Stephen Dunkley (Round 'N' Bout Media) for Frank Warren Queensberry Promotions

There were questions raised over the decision by The Gypsy King to entertain a former UFC champion in a crossover event, and many anticipated a one-sided victory to follow.

Instead, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh - hosting for the first time - Fury was forced to fight tooth-and-nail after his foe proved to be more than equal to the task against him.

The Battle of the Baddest saw the former win by split decision, a controversial result after Ngannou had dropped him in the third round and remained firmly on task throughout.

It would not be the same for the MMA fighter when he faced Joshua the following March, who knocked him out in the second round as he sought to rebuild his own career.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk (May 2024)

Watch on YouTube

A win over Ngannou appeared to be the final block to clear for Fury in settling on an undisputed battle with Usyk - and the deep pockets of Riyadh Season helped grease the deal.

The two men were originally due to meet in February, but a cut suffered by the former in training meant that their clash was pushed back to late May for the undisputed crown.

In a battle that saw both men test their ring IQs to the max, Usyk became the first man to hold all four heavyweight belts in the modern era after taking a split decision victory.

But the true winner proved to be Saudi Arabia - the fight was one of the biggest bouts of the century, and in the history of the sport to boot, earning them acclaim from promoters.

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV

Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now

The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US. For prices in your region click here.

A PPV event is a single one-off payment, with no subscription requirement or extra costs. Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits.

This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages.

The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform.

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Buy Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN now.

 

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