A Postcard From Riyadh

By Frank Warren

GREETINGS FROM RIYADH as we draw ever closer towards probably the biggest boxing event, certainly in my time following the sport.

Never before, I believe, have we had such a gathering of champions and top contenders all in one place, at the same time, getting ready to fight.

It is, to a large extent, a case of winner takes all, because the successful fighters on Saturday will likely move on and play a further, bigger part in Riyadh Season in the events to come as the Kingdom establishes itself as the premier destination for the blockbuster fights.

I covered off four of the fights in last week’s column, so I will offer up my take on the remaining half of the show here, starting off with my co-driver Deontay Wilder, who will be looking to put himself firmly back in the heavyweight picture when he takes on Joseph Parker.

I think pretty much all UK boxing fans will agree that the heavyweight world is a better place with Deontay in it. The Bronze Bomber gained so much respect in his third fight against Tyson Fury when we all realised that, although Tyson had got his number, he wouldn't surrender and gave us, in my book, one of the best heavyweight fights in history.

What I will say, having now shared a speeding vehicle with him during the epic promo shoot, is that he is definitely a better boxer than he is a driver! Let’s put it this way, the look on my face was not entirely down to the makeup department…

We all know the fans want to see Deontay trading blows with Anthony Joshua and this fight is, indeed, on the cards should both emerge triumphant on Saturday. But neither of them is in for an easy ride before we potentially get to this point.

Joseph is in an extremely confident frame of mind and is a tougher proposition now than when he was WBO world champion. He has got the experience now, he’s travelled the ups and downs this sport throws at you and he has an excellent team behind him, including Tyson, who will have offered him a few pointers on how to negate the obvious threats posed by Deontay.

Joseph is also enjoying the momentum gained by activity, which is something Deontay has missed out on, so I believe this is a fight that really could go either way.

Another really quality fight that is flying a little under the radar is the match between the monstrous Arslanbek Makhmudov and Agit Kabayel. Both fighters are unbeaten and looking to break into the elite band of heavyweight contenders.

Makhmudov, who looks like who could play a villain in a Bond film, is a hurtful operator that I know Top Rank have got very high hopes for. Kabayel will undoubtedly provide him with his biggest test to date and the European champion will view this assignment as something of a belated breakthrough fight after years of knocking on the door.

Filip Hrgovic has got world titles on his mind as he prepares to take on Mark Di Mori ahead of his IBF challenge next year. He holds the No.1 mandatory spot with the organisation and simply cannot afford to slip up against the Australian.

The Croatian, known as El Animal, needs the activity as he has only had two fights in the last two years and hopefully this fight will really get him firing for his big opportunity that is guaranteed for him in 2024.

On the subject of opportunity, it is certainly knocking for Ellis Zorro, who has got the chance of a lifetime against the Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

It is a pity that the IBF belt that was held by the Australian has had to be forfeited, but Jai was not prepared to give up the chance to perform on the biggest platform of all and become part of what is being created in Riyadh.

I know most people won’t give Ellis a prayer against the Sydney man, but they probably didn’t believe Jai would overcome Mairis Briedis when he took the IBF belt back in 2022.

Ellis is backing himself and, as he pointed out, he does not know what defeat tastes like because he is undefeated both as an amateur and pro. He will just give it his everything in a fight that can change his life.

That’s all from me for now, I hope you enjoy the fights on Saturday and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas from myself and everyone at Queensberry.