FURY AND JOSHUA IMAGE FROM PUNCH
Eko Hot Blog reports that Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Date) In a rare encounter, heavyweight boxing rivals Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua crossed paths in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, just days before Joshua’s highly anticipated bout against Francis Ngannou on Friday.
The meeting between the British heavyweights, who have been involved in a long-running rivalry, was a momentous occasion, as they have seldom crossed paths in the past.
Fury, known for his outspoken nature, took aim at Ngannou for suggesting he won their fight in October, but did not directly engage with Joshua. “Tyson was on golden form going round interrogating everybody, he had a few words with Francis Ngannou,” promoter Eddie Hearn told BBC Sport.
Despite the presence of the two heavyweight titans, their interaction was minimal. “They didn’t say too much. There’s definitely a kind of ‘that’s him over there’ kind of mentality,” Hearn said, describing the encounter between Joshua and Fury.
However, Hearn hinted at the long-awaited clash between the two British heavyweights, stating, “I think they know it’s only a matter of time until they meet [in the ring].”
The trio of Joshua, Fury, and Ngannou were joined by football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh for a photo opportunity, further amplifying the star-studded event.
Alalshikh, known for his influential role in promoting boxing events in Saudi Arabia, hosted all the boxers, including Joseph Parker and Justis Huni, who are featured on the undercard, as well as promoters Hearn and Frank Warren.
With the backing of Saudi Arabia’s immense wealth, Alalshikh has been credited with reshaping the landscape of boxing by resolving conflicts and rivalries between fighters and promoters, including the long-standing feud between Hearn and Warren.
Fury And Joshua’s Image From Arab News
As Fury arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday, he is expected to be ringside on Friday to support his brother, 27-year-old Roman Fury, who is fighting on the undercard. Hearn acknowledged the potential impact of Fury’s presence, saying, “Be interesting to see what Tyson Fury does at ringside.”
While Joshua remains “laser focused” on his upcoming bout against Ngannou, according to Hearn, the promoter believes the long-awaited showdown between Fury and Joshua is looming on the horizon. “I think years ago that might have affected AJ, but not anymore. Now he’s just laser focused,” Hearn stated.
As the anticipation builds for the heavyweight clash between Joshua and Ngannou, the presence of Fury and the convergence of boxing’s biggest names in Saudi Arabia have added an extra layer of intrigue to the already high-stakes event.
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