Warren, Hearn defend Saudi Arabia’s involvement in boxing

Promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have defended Saudi Arabia’s involvement in boxing following criticism surrounding Daniel Dubois’ fight with Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium last Saturday.

The fight was organized by Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh, president of the Saudi Entertainment Authority.

Saudi Arabia has been criticized for human rights abuses and accused of using sports, including boxing, to improve its image at home and abroad.

The Saudi national anthem was played in the ring before the fight began. Speaking at a press conference for the latest Riyadh Season event, the Artur Beterbijev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight on October 12, Warren said Saudi support “made” the Dubois-Joshua fight possible.

“Why is there criticism? A small minority complains about the playing of the national anthem,” Warren said.

“Events like this could not take place without financial outlays.

“It was His Excellency’s (Alalshikh) love for boxing that made this happen. Fans, did you hear anyone moaning?”

Riyadh Season has partnered with Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to bring major events to Saudi Arabia, with the Wembley edition being the first in the UK.

Warren, who promotes Dubois, echoed comments made by Hearn, who promotes Joshua. Hearn said the fight was a “shot in the arm” that British boxing needed.

“This boost of energy was given to us in the most unexpected way by the season in Riyadh,” said Hearn.

“With this event, it will be a year since the great boxing season began in Riyadh. I still don’t understand the negativity and complaints of some people.

“The Riyadh Season is a project that takes place in Riyadh. What we saw last week was the passion for sport that His Excellency has.

“A man who listened to the martial arts fans and exceeded the expectations of the British martial arts fans who said they wanted to attend the event of the season in Riyadh.”

Why did Dubois-Joshua face criticism?

Dubois-Joshua served as an advertisement for Saudi Arabia, hosting numerous Saudi-themed fan events and even playing the country’s national anthem to “honor” its Saudi partners.

The criticism was accompanied by an article in The Telegraph newspaper on Sunday, which said that the paper’s journalist, Oliver Brown, was prevented from attending the fight upon arrival at Wembley Stadium.

The incident has raised concerns about freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Queensberry has not commented on Brown’s refusal to enter.

Riyadh held its first major boxing event on October 28, 2023, when Francis Ngannou fought Tyson Fury.

Saudi Arabia has previously been involved in boxing, including in Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz in 2019, but the Kingdom’s interest in the sport has since been taken over by Alalshikh and Riyadh Season.

All previous boxing events of the Riyadh season have been held in Riyadh, with British fighters headlining each one.

Saudi Arabia has spent around £5bn on sport since 2021, saying the investment is to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil.

Many critics say Saudi Arabia’s investment in boxing is intended to gain legitimacy and distract from the country’s controversial human rights record, a practice known as “sportwashing.”

The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 outraged the international community. Saudi Arabia continues its war in Yemen.

While Saudi Arabia has made significant social reforms in recent years (in 2018, it changed the law to allow women to drive and attend soccer matches), the country continues to face criticism from human rights groups over a rising number of executions and arrests for online dissent, as well as severe restrictions on women and LGBTQ+ people in the kingdom.

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