By Matt Christie
Once upon a time in Saudi Arabia, the man considered the best heavyweight in the world was almost defeated by a debutant and subsequently had to postpone a fight with his closest rival. Less than two months later, in the same Kingdom, a card featuring several other top-tier heavyweights, which had been created in a matter of days, unfolded over the course of eight hours in which reputations were restored and shattered, before two more were planned. Colossal events were confirmed just five months after the aforementioned debutant, who will return in one of them, almost defeated the leader, who will face his closest rival in the other.
Even though we are experiencing all of this, it is still hard to believe.
Turki Al-Sheikh, 42-year-old president of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, is doing to heavyweight boxing what ecstasy pills did to Manchester nightclubs in the 1990s. It has become their playground, and around it, hands are held, minds are lost, fights break out, and the eyes of the once old and tired are brimming with euphoria. Resistance to this extraordinary Saudi revolution is futile because, regardless of any annoying voices suggesting that something is not quite right, it is happening. Don’t worry about the long-term consequences or what could go wrong because, here and now, we are in the middle of the party of your life.
For those who are so used to top heavyweights fighting once or twice a year, but never once facing the opponent everyone wants to see them fight, this type of activity is completely foreign. Think back to the 1970s, when heavyweights fought whoever came in front of them, whether they were on a winning streak or had just woken up from a knockout. It remains the gold standard in heavyweight history, and not only because the fighters were great fighters, but largely because they proved to be great by fighting all their rivals. Losses were not the end of the road and bravery was the order of the day. Last year at this time, before the arrival of Al-Sheikh, we had long ago given up on that era ever happening again.
Al-Sheikh, in the space of six dizzying months, has become the most influential figure in all of sport. Even taking into account the billions at his disposal and boxing’s custom of inviting anyone to the top table, it is a truly incredible development and whether it lasts six years or six months, Al-Sheikh is undoubtedly achieving what could not be achieved before him. he arrived at the place.
On February 17, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will clash for all the belts. For the first time since Lennox Lewis existed at the turn of the century, the world will have a heavyweight champion. Three weeks later, Anthony Joshua will face Francis Ngannou, that debutant, in what will be his fourth contest in a 12-month period. From the sublime to the ridiculous, both fights are compelling for contrasting reasons. Ngannou showed his toughness and then some against Fury, but it should still be target practice for Joshua. With Deontay Wilder set to return on that Joshua-Ngannou card, don’t be surprised to see the American score a notable KO, and for Joshua-Wilder, despite the ‘Bronze Bomber’ loss in December to Joseph Parker, to be reborn still. again.
Zhilei Zhang, Parker, Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic are also in the mix. Others, like Jared Anderson and Frank Sanchez, could be about to sneak in, Joe Joyce wants to prove that he’s worthy of an invitation, and teenagers like Moses Itauma are preparing their fake IDs.
No matter what, suddenly there are many options for winners and losers. And in this new world order, choices very quickly transform into genuine struggles. There are no delays at the negotiating tables, no endless mockery from promoters trying to prove themselves in YouTube interviews, no bowing to the politicking of the sanctioning body, and not enough time for fans to fret.
In short, this cannot last. Thus, misgivings are left aside and consciences are left at the door. The ensuing hangover, as the division struggles to exist without the billions it has quickly become accustomed to, might not be much fun. But after more than 20 years of yearning for this kind of chaos, who can blame those involved for donning their gay rags?
