The British fighter has said only he will decide how long his career continues, while Amnesty International has said the event is sportswashing despite the inclusion of the first women’s bout to be staged in Saudi Arabia
Anthony Joshua has defended his record as a heavyweight boxer and insisted he will decide how long he continues to fight for, amid suggestions he would have no choice but to retire were he to lose his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk here on Saturday night.
Joshua firmly believes he can avoid a third defeat in his 27 fights, the other being his shock stoppage at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019, and instead is setting his sights on becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion, having previously reclaimed his titles with victory in his rematch with Ruiz Jr in Riyadh six months after their initial contest.
This is a sentiment shared by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who has labelled Usyk, who fights here having served in the Ukrainian army as part of the country’s defence against Russia’s invasion, a “genius” and insisted that should be taken into consideration if he is again victorious at the weekend.
In a statement, Amnesty International wished Ali well but refused to back away from its criticism of any professional fight taking place in Saudi Arabia given its human rights record. The organisation reaffirmed its stance that the kingdom’s increased involvement in sport – which includes the hosting of a Formula One grand prix, the new LIV Golf Series and the takeover of Newcastle United – are part of a cover-up.
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