Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has defended the playing of the Saudi Arabia national anthem before Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois did battle at Wembley on Saturday night.
There was a bizarre moment before the all-British affair at the London venue when the Saudi anthem was sung before gloves were touched.
The Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority arranged the fight through its chairman Turki Alalshikh, who is an advisor to the Saudi royal court.
It has led to widespread criticism as many have claimed that the Gulf State are trying to ‘sportswash’ its reputation.
Eddie Hearn defended the Saudi national anthem on Saturday night
Reuters/X
But Joshua’s promoter Hearn has insisted it was about respect and would have the anthem played before all boxing events.
The fight has been included as part of the ‘Riyadh Season’, a series of events, including sports, cultural and entertainment, usually held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
And Alalshikh has been behind the boxing events, which have included bouts between Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua and even YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
“He’s given British boxing – all the fighters, all the fans – the best night, he’s paid for it all,” Hearn told iFL TV.
“I couldn’t have put that event up, (rival promoter) Frank Warren couldn’t have put that event up.
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“It’s a sign of respect for the work that’s been put in to create this event – and for 20 seconds, is it a big deal?
“He (Turki) could have done that show in Riyadh and everyone could go, ‘Oh, another big fight in Riyadh’.
“But now he’s actually gone out, spent the money to do it in the UK and give everybody just the best night and all these fighters all these incredible opportunities and we still find a way to say, ‘Yeah, but they played their national anthem’.
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Anthony Joshua was beaten by Daniel Dubois on Saturday at Wembley
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“Well, you know what? I’ll play the anthem if they want, for what they’re doing, at every show.”
Saudi’s grip on sport has taken on many forms in recent years, including the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League and the royally-backed LIV Golf, which is looking to rival the PGA Tour for the best players.
But Hearn insisted there is no agenda behind the Saudi involvement in sport, adding: “Everything behind it is a passion to create great events.
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Eddie Hearn has insisted he will respect the Saudis
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“Riyadh Season, like any sponsor, would be looking for the benefits, a brand to be seen globally, to raise the profile.”
Joshua was knocked out by Dubois in the fifth round in shock circumstances, having been battered throughout the contest.
It saw Dubois retain his IBF heavyweight title while a rematch could be in the pipeline, as well as a second match against Usyk, who claimed victory over the Briton in August 23.