BoxRec

skanksta wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 17:46I was pondering this very issue...

You would take the cash - fair enough - and that’s honest if nothing else. I hope I wouldn’t, but I KNOW I would if I was skint. AJ has more money than any man could need already, so maybe he could cfgord to make a stand and use his power for good.., but of course it’s not AJ’s job to police morality. Our UK/US regimes have done plenty worse after all, but it’s not “a daft principle” either.

I don’t know.., It’s a tough one.

I know what you mean but ultimately these principled stands achieve nothing. No dumb sportsman is going to change a culture that is ancient and entrenched, and quite frankly it's none of his business anyway. And are any of those bands who refused to play Sun City in the 80s bigger or more loved than Queen, who did play Sun City? What about David Bey, who was talked out of fighting Gerrie Coetzee in South Africa for the world title? Greg Page, who could think for himself, stepped in, clobbered Coetzee and forever has the glamour of being a world heavyweight champion. Meanwhile David Bey is just... David Bey. They tried pressure Bruno into not fighting Coetzee in the 80s, but as he explained in one of his books, he couldn't turn down a world title eliminator because of politics.

I'd take the money and run, personally.

3132DW wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 01:40

kbackup408 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 17:02 I would be pretty cheesed of this bout isn't in the UK/USA/Africa - taking this bout to a territory that doesn't have a boxing following is ridiculous (and yes I had the same feeling when Callum Smith fought in Saudi last year)

Title fight for 4 belts in front of about 500 people - atmosphere will be dire.

Smith/Groves was a waste there as well.

I assume they don’t use the 10k seater for this. The stadium next to it is much bigger.. but they’re in Jeddah. The article says Riyadh. Maybe the King Fahd stadium.

Apparently Saudi Arabia is a goer, 7th Dec.

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 06:20 Apparently Saudi Arabia is a goer, 7th Dec.

Trying to save a bit of DAZN money.

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 06:20 Apparently Saudi Arabia is a goer, 7th Dec.

They are 2 hours ahead (GMT) so probably best (worst case scenario) for UK fans rather than middle of the night.

I hope this Saudi Arabia thing isn't becoming habit.

Obviously down to the individual but if you have the means to make a stand then it’s admirable that you do !

Maybe Beys stance ( along with others who did the same ) did contribute to the downfall of the apartheid regime and for that he could have been proud for the rest of his life

Ali lost 3 years of his prime in a protest that changed little, but the respect for him ( outside of mainstream USA) for doing so made him the icon he became! He also threw his gold medal away due to civil rights issues he encountered at the time !

To fight in Saudi if you have other similar options Is a very poor choice .... just a money chase by an already filthy rich duo !

Yarde fighting in Russia (if it happens) is a different story as he is the challenger and can’t dictate the terms

The Khan farce was a dispicable farce from day 1 !

Shhhh wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 11:48

Boxing Prospect wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 00:51 Thomas Hauser might give it a wide berth

Why?

He “exposed” Hearn and Whyte and the A sample issue

I did really like the idea of returning to MSG, but for what ever reason that isn't happening.

Saudi is neutral and a decent timezone for UK fans, but that is all it has going for it.

The idea of doing a show in Saudi should go against everything Matchroom stand for, large raucous crowds, the feeling of being part of an 'event', women in the crowd enjoying the fights.

If they want to go somewhere neutral, why not Germany? At least they have boxing fans and won't mind a couple thousand Brits turning up.

keirw wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 12:27 I did really like the idea of returning to MSG, but for what ever reason that isn't happening.

Saudi is neutral and a decent timezone for UK fans, but that is all it has going for it.

The idea of doing a show in Saudi should go against everything Matchroom stand for, large raucous crowds, the feeling of being part of an 'event', women in the crowd enjoying the fights.

If they want to go somewhere neutral, why not Germany? At least they have boxing fans and won't mind a couple thousand Brits turning up.

Good point.

Going somewhere neutral isn’t the driver here, the show will be a matchroom / Dazn show wherever it is ! The driver is the oil money

oogiebe wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 11:43 I hope this Saudi Arabia thing isn't becoming habit.

It’ll become a habit if they can come up with $$$$ and the monies are genuinely there.

3132DW wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 12:44

oogiebe wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 11:43 I hope this Saudi Arabia thing isn't becoming habit.

It’ll become a habit if they can come up with $$$$ and the monies are genuinely there.

Rather unfortunate. SA doesn't deserve to be hosting anything.

knockout wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 12:16

Shhhh wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 11:48

Why?

He “exposed” Hearn and Whyte and the A sample issue

Fair chance he wouldn’t get entry anyway.

kbackup408 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 17:02 I would be pretty cheesed of this bout isn't in the UK/USA/Africa - taking this bout to a territory that doesn't have a boxing following is ridiculous (and yes I had the same feeling when Callum Smith fought in Saudi last year)

Does Africa have a boxing following?

paddy chavez wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 13:32

kbackup408 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 17:02 I would be pretty cheesed of this bout isn't in the UK/USA/Africa - taking this bout to a territory that doesn't have a boxing following is ridiculous (and yes I had the same feeling when Callum Smith fought in Saudi last year)

Does Africa have a boxing following?

I get the impression Africa is football and more football !

paddy chavez wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 13:32

kbackup408 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 17:02 I would be pretty cheesed of this bout isn't in the UK/USA/Africa - taking this bout to a territory that doesn't have a boxing following is ridiculous (and yes I had the same feeling when Callum Smith fought in Saudi last year)

Does Africa have a boxing following?

There have been enough 'teak tough' Ghanaian fighters come to the UK in recent years to fill an arena.

At least Katie Taylor won't be on a Joshua undercard this time.

brian13 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 14:31 At least Katie Taylor won't be on a Joshua undercard this time.

Ha! That’s true.

No fans can travel to see it so why should anyone bother ? Hearn just dazzled with the cash, but an own goal for Joshua associating himself with the Saudi's

tony1234 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 15:45 No fans can travel to see it so why should anyone bother ? Hearn just dazzled with the cash, but an own goal for Joshua associating himself with the Saudi's

Why can’t fans go and see it?

Shhhh wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 14:32

knockout wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 12:16

He “exposed” Hearn and Whyte and the A sample issue

Thanks I thought it was cos he is jewish

Saudi Arabia gets on very well with Israel.

Shhhh wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 16:45

overhand_right wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 16:17

Saudi Arabia gets on very well with Israel.

Yeh I never understood that

Because of Iran most likely.

Shhhh wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 16:45

overhand_right wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 16:17

Saudi Arabia gets on very well with Israel.

Yeh I never understood that

It's best not discussed on a forum