Frank Warren Takes Center Stage in Saudi Arabia’s Christmas Extravaganza, While Anthony Joshua Eyes £75m Prize in Showdown Against Otto Wallin
In an unexpected twist of fate, Anthony Joshua’s quest to conquer the oil-rich boxing landscape of Saudi Arabia has brought together the once-rival promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren. Their long-standing feud is momentarily set aside as Hearn joins the ranks of supporting promoters for Warren’s Queensberry company.
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Anthony Joshua’s Saudi Sojourn: Unveiling the Unlikely Collaboration of Hearn and Warren
At a lively media conference in Wembley Arena, Warren, rather than reveling in triumph, graciously acknowledges the collaboration: “I’m just delighted that I’ve been able to bring together many of the world’s leading promoters. And everybody involved should be very grateful to His Excellency Turku Alalshikh (Saudi Minister of Entertainment) for making this possible.”
A Peculiar Christmas Card in Riyadh: December 23 Showdown
With the stage set for a blockbuster event in Riyadh on December 23, Warren is careful not to rub salt in any wounds. “Hopefully Joshua’s comeback from a darkened room of soul-searching meditation – and a place not too distant from career oblivion – is happening just in time.”
Acknowledging the colossal funding involved, there’s no denying that Matchroom Man Joshua is in for a hefty share of the £75 million Christmas box purse. “It’s like Santa Claus decided to trade in his reindeer for oil barrels this year,” Warren quips.
The Stakes and the Laughs: Joshua, Fury, and the Boxing Circus
While Joshua eyes a comeback, the financial incentive might not be as sweet as Tyson Fury’s recent windfall from his crossover battle with UFC icon Francis Ngannou. Warren muses on the financial boxing circus, saying,
“Nor will it come close to the Gypsy King’s next fortune awaiting him in the long-delayed fight with Oleksandr Usyk, which will anoint the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. That, too, will take place in Riyadh, where a further inducement dangles for Joshua as long as he beats Otto Wallin.”
Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker, and the Riyadh Showdown
Adding to the spectacle, Deontay Wilder, fresh from his trilogy with Fury, takes on former world champion Joseph Parker on the Joshua-Wallin Christmas card. Warren outlines the potential end game: “AJ v Wilder in the New Year on condition they both win. Also in Riyadh. I said when we did Tyson v Ngannou that it was a huge event which would be a game-changer for boxing. And here we are, with all these parties coming together.”
Joshua’s initial appearance in Saudi Arabia on a Matchroom card set the stage for this unexpected collaboration. A shift in advisors facilitated Warren’s long-term partnership with the Kingdom, paving the way for a lineup featuring Joshua v Wallin, Wilder v Parker, and a chance for Daniel Dubois to re-enter world title contention after his controversial loss to Usyk.
In the realm of boxing, where drama unfolds both in and out of the ring, this Christmas in Riyadh promises to be a knockout affair, uniting promoters, fighters, and perhaps a few camels in the mix. Let the jingle bell punches commence!
