Anthony Joshua’s Saudi Arabia ‘assets’ defined as Otto Wallin dust-up looms
Boxing followers might be forgiven for taking a break from wrapping presents and writing playing cards on Saturday night time when Anthony Joshua tops essentially the most heavyweight of heavyweight payments in Saudi Arabia. The self-titled ‘Day of Reckoning’ occasion consists of the kind of stellar line-up that would promote out a extra modest present six instances over. AJ will face Swedish fighter Otto Wallin within the prime card spot however that is very a lot a twin headline occasion.
If one former heavyweight champion wasn’t sufficient, Deontay Wilder is doubling the tally as he faces New Zealander Joesph Parker. It would be the American’s first look within the ring since October 2022 however it will appear that few can resist the monetary pull of the Middle East proper now.
Joshua isn’t any stranger to Saudi Arabia and has strengthened his hyperlinks with the nation for a number of years now. After he suffered the shock of dropping to Andy Ruiz Jr in New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2019 the following rematch was staged in Diriyah, the place the Englishman was capable of reverse the consequence.
It goes with out saying that Joshua’s financial institution steadiness has been closely bolstered by Saudi Arabia on this time, although the camp and others – as report the Independent – consult with such agreements and money offers merely as ‘assets.’
While US scorching spots just like the Big Apple and Las Vegas have lengthy been in a position to attract the largest fighters to their venues – because of the wealthy reserves loved by related casinos – it’s the battle chest of the Saudi authorities that has led the best way in 2023 and can proceed to take action in 2024.
Should Joshua and Wilder each win on Saturday night time, the pair are anticipated to face one another again in Riyadh for what could be an enormous cash remaining eliminator match in March subsequent yr.
The winner would then be considered the primary challenger for the game’s world championship belts, which will likely be placed on the road by their present holders – Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury – by the use of a heavyweight unification struggle on February 17.
Where will or not it’s held? You guessed it, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk v Fury appeared like a struggle that might by no means occur, however whereas each camps and their promoters have spent months failing to seek out frequent floor, Saudi Royal Court Advisor, His Excellency, Turki Al-Sheikh seems to have achieved an settlement with the minimal of fuss. Money talks in boxing.
Such are the assets being pumped into boxing by the Saudis, in addition to different globally interesting sports activities, that they’ll afford to construct an undercard for Saturday’s occasion that might in any other case appear unimaginable.
Daniel Dubois and Jarrell Miller might simply headline their very own occasion however right here they’re solely third on the invoice. Throw into the combination three championship belts on the road, all within the heavyweight division, and the seriousness of the organisers’ intentions couldn’t be clearer. Eight or 9 of the world’s prime heavyweights will likely be in motion on the identical invoice this weekend and the present prime two will comply with in February.
And with Mike Tyson opening a gymnasium in Riyadh that can prepare 1,000 of the very best new fighters to determine the fight stars of the longer term, it’s clear {that a} lasting legacy is as vital to the brand new super-power in boxing as is the urge for food to earn money.