Sports

Jeddah is 4 steps away from witnessing biggest boxing event

I got my spirit in the right place here in Saudi Arabia: Joshua

August 16, 2022
Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Britain's Anthony Joshua
Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Britain's Anthony Joshua

By Aljohara Zarea

JEDDAH —
Jeddah is only 4 days away to witness one of the major international sports competitions hosted by Saudi Arabia -

Rage on the Red Sea. Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Britain's Anthony Joshua will compete for the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship title.

Rage on the Red Sea will be held at King Abdullah Sports City Hall in Jeddah on Saturday, August 20, where the fans will have the opportunity to witness a heavy fight that is going to take place in Jeddah for the first time since the 90s.

The activities and events of the Rage on the Red Sea Week began on the 14th of August, as the professional boxers landed at the Media Arrival event.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Anthony Joshua said that his return to compete in Saudi Arabia is 100 percent positive, especially as it is his second comeback match for the World Heavyweight Championship title in the Kingdom, after his victory over Andy Ruiz in December 2019 in the historic Diriyah fight in Riyadh.

Being in the Kingdom has a good impact on Joshua as he said that "If I could not sleep at night, I head to pray, as I got my spirit in the right place here in Saudi Arabia".

He reiterated his resolve that he will regain the title this weekend at the Rage on the Red Sea from his Ukrainian opponent, after Ukrainian boxer Usak took the title from Joshua in their first fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.

As for Oleksandr Usyk, he stated that he always sees the interaction of the Saudis about boxing and how they support and cheer the boxers.

Usyk said that people appreciate everyone who works at a high level, and thus he confirmed that he practices his boxing skills when he trains and makes sure to execute them in the ring at the highest level.

Usyk said the fans will have the opportunity on Saturday to see the two big boxers fighting to win the title.

It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian boxer Usyk was carrying a special guest with him during the media event, as it turned out that the secret behind this guest was that his daughter gave him a teddy bear gift five and a half months ago when they separated because of his departure for the training camp.

“My daughter gave me this gift so that I would not feel her absence, as I would always be able to remember her,” Usyk said, emphasizing that "although I still miss her."

Usyk also added that his daughter called him before he came to the media event and asked him to take the teddy bear with him in front of the cameras.


August 16, 2022
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