Chisora Sees No Issue With More Boxing in Saudi Arabia - Explains Why

[Ruthless-RKO]

Despite the controversies surrounding the Middle Eastern nation, Chisora is happy to see fighters earning as much money as possible.

“My belief first of all was that Saudi Arabia was not great, but when I went there to see Saudi Arabia for myself, I was like ‘wow, this is amazing’. What happened before, a couple of years ago, that’s history. Now they’re opening up the gates to everybody," Chisora told radiotimes.com.

“I was there and the trip was unbelievable, I felt safe, I went to a good restaurant, we hung out. Yeah, they don’t allow alcohol, which is good, you know people enjoy life without alcohol so it was amazing.

“I think more fights should happen in Saudi Arabia. Right now, from what I’m hearing, they’re building a massive stadium which is going to be called the ‘Mecca of Boxing’. It’s going to be amazing.”

Chisora says the reason many UK boxers are looking to fight abroad is because the TV broadcasters are not paying talent enough money.

“The fighters will fight but they want to get paid more, and Saudi are saying they will pay more. Tell the TV broadcasters in London to pay the fighters more so they don’t have to go to Saudi," Chisora said.

“After this is all done, I look at Michael Sprott, you know. He was a good fighter, he never got paid so much money but now he’s doing deliveries for Amazon. And this was a good fighter. If he was there to fight in Saudi, he wouldn’t be doing that.

“There’s fighters out there, Kevin Mitchell, great fighter, he never made much money because they didn’t pay him. If the Saudi gates were open when he was fighting, he would’ve made money. I believe fighters should get more money so when they retire, they retire, they don’t do anything else apart from living a good life. They’ve earned it.”

Chisora was set to fight Oleksandr Usyk at the O2 Arena in May, but the bout was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Because that contest likely requires an audience, there is no telling when or where the fight takes place - but promoter Eddie Hearn has not ruled out the scenario of taking it abroad.

[TheGoods]

On April 23, 2019, Saudi Arabia carried out mass executions of 37 imprisoned civilians who had been convicted mostly on the basis of confessions obtained under torture or written by the accused's torturers. Most of the executed belonged to the country's Shia minority.

But yeah, whatever. “I went to a good restaurant”.

[Wee Tommy]

On April 23, 2019, Saudi Arabia carried out mass executions of 37 imprisoned civilians who had been convicted mostly on the basis of confessions obtained under torture or written by the accused's torturers. Most of the executed belonged to the country's Shia minority.

But yeah, whatever. “I went to a good restaurant”.

Were any of them black? I’ve been told all this week, only black lives matter

[banjo]

Any country that doesn't allow booze and skimpy women is a shithole.

[My Name Is Earl]

"what happened before, a couple of years ago, that's history"

For crying out loud Del.

You were ahead of the times with your face masks.... but give your head a wobble.

[cormack]

The Saudi money tree is starting to shrivel anyway so this idea they can offer crazy money over and over is wishful thinking.

[tonyevs]

Is there that much money in boxing for every ex-British champion to be financially secure after their boxing career is over?

Very few boxers are financially secure after their careers are over because boxing is such a short career for the majority; there are not many jobs out there that will set you up for life once you hit 35-40yrs old.

Any athlete; be they boxers, cyclists or any other sports person need to plan what they do when the sport is over. Maybe the answer is better career advise when they turn professional.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Saudi are not gonna throw any money at just anyone. They're gonna be picky.

He's mentioning guys like Sprott and Mitchell.. They would be low on the card.. The big money would be going to the headliners.

[tonyevs]

I can understand Del boys sentiment about those reaching a decent level like Sprott and Mitchell deserving to be financially secure when they hang them up; but its just not realistic is it.

There are not many ex-British champions financially secure once they hang them up; it really is like winning the lottery for those that do manage it.

Tony Bellew is a classic example of someone striking it lucky and winning the Boxing lottery. Without the Haye farce he would have been just another ex-boxer that nobody outside of the anoraks would remember in 10 years time. But fortunately for him he had the Haye show, and the opportunities that enabled him to become very wealthy and media opportunities to boot. Not bad for a boxer of average ability .. and an embarressing ability to talk shyte every time his lips move.

I hope that Del boy has kept a close eye on his earning and invested them carefully. Too many sports people lose their money a lot quicker than they earnt it; Gifted athletes are rarely gifted with cognitive prowess too.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I hope that Del boy has kept a close eye on his earning and invested them carefully. Too many sports people lose their money a lot quicker than they earnt it; Gifted athletes are rarely gifted with cognitive prowess too.

I heard Del was well off anyway? Has investments in places.

[rd350lc]

I hope that Del boy has kept a close eye on his earning and invested them carefully. Too many sports people lose their money a lot quicker than they earnt it; Gifted athletes are rarely gifted with cognitive prowess too.

I heard Del was well off anyway? Has investments in places.

There's something about him that makes me think he's been very shrewd with the money he has earned.
Let's face it he seems to have been around a long time and doesn't appear to suffer fools .

[Cyclops]

I heard Del was well off anyway? Has investments in places.

There's something about him that makes me think he's been very shrewd with the money he has earned.
Let's face it he seems to have been around a long time and doesn't appear to suffer fools .

Chisora is one of the last fighters I can see going broke.