Anthony Joshua recognises Saudi Arabia’s passion for boxing – Sporting Life

Anthony Joshua spoke up ahead of the biggest fight of his career against Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday.

With less than a week to go until the biggest fight of the year dubbed Rage on the Red Sea, Anthony Joshua reflects on his first visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019 and how he’s ready to “put on a show” for his second fight. Kingdom and second fight against his formidable opponent Oleksandr Usyk.

At first glance, Anthony Joshua’s ambitions at Rage on the Red Sea are simple.

“Last time here I became a two-time champion,” he says, just days before his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk. “The only goal now is to become triple!”

However, if you scratch the surface a little, the goals of both the Main Event fighter and host country Saudi Arabia are far deeper.

The last time Joshua fought here, he did so under similar circumstances. He went into the Clash of the Dunes in Diriyah in 2019 to retain the belts he lost to his opponent just months earlier and is doing so again in Jeddah after losing the same titles to Usyk last year.

Joshua outclassed Andy Ruiz Jr from start to finish in Diriyah and the Brit understandably remembers that night with genuine fondness.

“I have great memories of 2019,” he recalls. “Everything was right at the event. From the purpose built stadium, the organization and the hospitality, everything was 10 out of 10. It was a phenomenal event for boxing in general and of course very special for me as I became a two-time champion.”

A seed was planted on December 7, 2019, and boxing in the kingdom has grown rapidly since then. Participation by both men and women in Saudi Arabia has increased by 300 percent, the number of boxing studios in the country has increased from seven to 59 and last December the Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation introduced the first-ever women’s boxing championship.

Clash of the Dunes has left the sport of boxing in Saudi Arabia with a legacy to build on. The 1.86m tall fighter is very proud of that and hopes to do it again when he takes on Usyk on Saturday 20th August at King Abdullah Sports City.

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“It’s fantastic that the country has embraced the sport,” said Joshua. “I know it’s grown by over 300%, many facilities have opened since 2019 and the women’s championship was held last year. As a professional fighter competing on a global scale, it’s fantastic to see the sport growing and inspiring a new generation to embrace it.”

Joshua left Saudi Arabia a hero in 2019 after bringing the pinnacle of the sport to the country for the first time. And the welcome he received, as well as the support he received throughout his time there, left an indelible mark on the Brit.