Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk: A look at Saudi Arabia’s boxing takeover

Boxing in Saudi Arabia is starkly different to the pageantry of a Las Vegas fight week and lacks the lure of a London stadium showdown.

Joshua’s ‘Day of Reckoning’ and ‘Knockout Chaos’ events did not seem to infiltrate the wider public in Riyadh.

Taxi drivers, shopkeepers and hotel staff were generally unaware of any boxing taking place.

Joshua has not been mobbed by fans at fight-week festivities, which Warren says is a sign of the “respectful” culture and why fighters enjoy competing there.

Musicians Eminem and Kanye West and legendary fighters like Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson have attended fight weeks to add some stardust.

But those watching on TV often describe the atmosphere as “soulless”. In March, the loudest roar of the night came when football manager Jose Mourinho entered the venue as featherweights Nick Ball and Rey Vargas were contesting their world-title bout.

In previous shows, spectators have even left before the main event.

Boxing lives and dies by its atmosphere and the live event. The gasps of a crowd witnessing a knockout and the emotions at ringside enhance the viewing pleasure.

Warren says there is “still an atmosphere” but acknowledges it was far from “raucous”. He also points to the “ignorance” of those who blame it on a lack of alcohol, which is outlawed in Saudi.

Ziyad ‘Zizo’ Almaayouf, the only Saudi fighter to have featured on a pro event in Riyadh, asks for patience.

“In the Arab world, a Sunday is a work day. So when AJ walked out against [Otto] Wallin at 03:30 local time on a Saturday, most people had work in a few hours,” Zizo says.

“It’s not’s the same intensity as the US but that’s because you need to give it time.

“Arab fans in general go crazy about sport. Just look at how they are in football.”