Renowned Boxing Promoter Declares Saudi Arabia the New Capital of the Sport
In a remarkable statement, esteemed boxing promoter Frank Warren has declared that Saudi Arabia has surpassed Las Vegas as the epicenter of the sport. Warren’s proclamation comes on the heels of a successful event at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, where his five boxers triumphed over their Matchroom opponents.
“It’s been amazing,” Warren enthused. “The vision… The fact that Riyadh Season has made boxing one of its top attractions, and it’s worked, in a big way for them, the commitment has made it the world capital now for big shows. They’ve taken over from Vegas. There’s no doubt about that. And it’s just going to get bigger and better and better.”
Warren’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s rise as the new boxing hub is further bolstered by the recently announced schedules for high-profile bouts, including the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitrii Bivol clash on October 12 and the much-anticipated Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury II showdown on December 21.
“I’ve been around for nearly 200 years doing this,” Warren joked, “and every time I sit with His Excellency and we talk about all these things and future fights, it just gets more and more amazing. I thought I’d heard it all. But I haven’t.”
Looking ahead, Warren teased the possibility of a September 20/21 event at Wembley Stadium, potentially headlined by a clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, who recently emerged victorious against Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović.
“There’s a lot of things in the pipeline that I think will blow everybody’s mind,” Warren added.
Notably, Warren also praised his fellow promoter, Eddie Hearn, and acknowledged Matchroom’s crucial role in the success of the Riyadh event. “It’s fabulous. And I’ve got to tell you something, this wouldn’t have happened without Eddie and Matchroom. We’ve all worked together for the betterment of boxing this time round. It’s worked for everybody.”
The shift of boxing’s epicenter to Saudi Arabia underscores the nation’s growing influence and commitment to the sport, solidifying its position as a formidable force in the world of boxing.
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