• Home
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • New Edition
    • Muslim News
  • Analysis
    • Islam & Media
  • Perspectives
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • Al-Fahm
  • Islam-tainment
    • Sports
    • Arts
    • Poetry
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Investigations
  • iGuide
    • Testimony
    • Salah
    • Zakat
    • Fasting
    • Muslim Personalities
  • DONATE
Monday, May 12, 2025
Muslim News Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • New Edition
    • Muslim News
  • Analysis
    • Islam & Media
  • Perspectives
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • Al-Fahm
  • Islam-tainment
    • Sports
    • Arts
    • Poetry
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Investigations
  • iGuide
    • Testimony
    • Salah
    • Zakat
    • Fasting
    • Muslim Personalities
  • DONATE
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • New Edition
    • Muslim News
  • Analysis
    • Islam & Media
  • Perspectives
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • Al-Fahm
  • Islam-tainment
    • Sports
    • Arts
    • Poetry
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Investigations
  • iGuide
    • Testimony
    • Salah
    • Zakat
    • Fasting
    • Muslim Personalities
  • DONATE
No Result
View All Result
Muslim News Nigeria
No Result
View All Result

Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua 2: Inside the 15,000 purpose-built Diriyah Arena, the Saudi Arabia venue for title fight

by Muslim News Nigeria
5 years ago
in Arts, Middle East, Muslim Events, Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua 2: Inside the 15,000 purpose-built Diriyah Arena, the Saudi Arabia venue for title fight

Anthony Joshua (AJ) faces a crunch rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr on Saturday, December 7 in what is being billed as the ‘Clash on the Dunes’.

Challenger AJ arrived in Saudi Arabia last weekend, with the champion touching down in the desert shortly afterwards.

The heavyweight pair will go head-to-head on 7 December in the newly-constructed Diriyah Arena, where Joshua is bidding to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles which Ruiz took from him in stunning fashion at Madison Square Garden in June.

Where is the venue?

In Diriyah, a suburb in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Historically, the town was the original home of the Saudi royal family.
The purpose-built arena will stage the title fight and amazingly, work on the 15,000 seater venue only began two months before the fight was due to commence.

The purpose-built arena has been constructed from scratch

Why is it being held there?

There has been a lot of controversy to say the least about this event being staged here.

Saudi Arabia was chosen to host the bout ahead of rival bids from Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and Dubai.

The country has previously hosted Amir Khan’s winning contest against Billy Dib in July, while Callum Smith’s World Boxing Super Series title win against George Groves was also staged there in September 2018.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International have highlighted their concerns about the event being hosted in this country, owing to the country’s ‘abysmal’ human rights record.

The Diriyah Arena will be ready in time for the fight on December 7

Heavy restrictions on freedom of expression and women’s rights have been raised, as has the use of the death penalty for offences not recognised as crimes under international law.

Saudi Arabia has sought to stage sporting and entertainment events in a bid to attract visitors and move away from its oil-dependent economy.

Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, have repeatedly tried to deflect criticism of holding the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight rematch in Diriyah, on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

They claim that the country is reforming for the better, a view that isn’t held by Amnesty international.

What is the venue like?

Eddie Hearn has described the venue as ‘utterly breathtaking’.

The Diriyah Arena was built by 175 staff, who began work on 7 October, with more than 295 tonnes of steel used in the production of the stadium.

It’s certainly a unique venue, with this site consisting of three stands, with the fourth side – an altogether a smaller stand – disconnected from the rest.

That will house the changing rooms, VIP/hospitality areas and TV studios.

The fighters will enter the arena from this smaller stand, in what will be a gladiator style entrance, as the 15,000 fans in attendance roar Joshua and Ruiz on for this blockbuster showdown.

The new stadium for Ruiz vs Joshua II was considered underwhelming by some fans

Joshua has been to see it already and can’t wait.
“It’s going to be an incredible night and I’m thrilled so many of my fans are going to be there, particularly from the UK,” he said.

“It’ll definitely be a night people will tell their grandchildren they were at, one of those iconic evenings of boxing. Everyone from Saudi has been brilliant to work with.”

Ruiz was equally amazed by the work that has been done.

“It’s amazing man, it’s crazy how they built everything in a month and a half. It’s amazing to be fighting over here, it’s going to be really historic and I’m planning to make history over here.”

It will take a month to deconstruct after the bout, with impressively 95 per cent of the material being re-used to stage other events.
More than 2,000 staff will be working on the evening of the mega fight to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Andy Ruiz Jr and Joshua 

Fans will approach the Diriyah Arena via the Diriyah Oasis, a huge sprawling entertainment hub which offers activities such as ice-skating outdoors, sky diving, jet skiing and zip lining.

The Diriyah Oasis is split into the four zones – Nature, Imagination, Reflection, Excitement – giving families a great place to come together.

At the heart of it all lies an astonishing grand installation by world-renowned Italian artist, Edoardo Tresoldi.

Granted, it’s not going to compare to the likes of the MGM Grand nor Madison Square Garden, but it should still be a momentous occasion for all who will be in attendance.

 

Source: Talk Sport

Sponsored

SUPPORT MUSLIM NEWS NIGERIA

With your generous financial contributions to MUSLIM NEWS, you are helping to sustain a culture of journalistic integrity that promotes tranquil Islamic values and ensures it remains free and available to all.

BANK TRANSFER

Rawshield PR Company

0568624004

Guaranty Trust Bank

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: Andy Ruiz JrAnthony JoshuaClash on the Dunes’Saudi Arabia entertainment
Previous Post

Ansar-ud-Deen Lagos Council launches N100m Fund Raising for Secretariat Project

Next Post

Rawshield PR Media unveils Muslim News cover, celebrates academic  excellence of two Hijabi, 1 niqobi

Next Post
Rawshield PR Media unveils Muslim News cover, celebrates academic  excellence of two Hijabi, 1 niqobi

Rawshield PR Media unveils Muslim News cover, celebrates academic  excellence of two Hijabi, 1 niqobi

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Post

Nigeria hits 19% pilgrims’ airlift in 72 hours as 2025 Hajj exercise begins

Nigeria hits 19% pilgrims’ airlift in 72 hours as 2025 Hajj exercise begins

May 12, 2025
NDLEA arrests non-Muslim who disguised in hijab to smuggle cocaine in private part, stomach at P/Harcourt Airport

NDLEA arrests non-Muslim who disguised in hijab to smuggle cocaine in private part, stomach at P/Harcourt Airport

May 12, 2025
Saudi Arabia leads peace push as first nation to dispatch envoy to India and Pakistan

Saudi Arabia leads peace push as first nation to dispatch envoy to India and Pakistan

May 11, 2025
Gaza death toll passes 52,800 as Israeli attacks continue unabated

Gaza death toll passes 52,800 as Israeli attacks continue unabated

May 11, 2025

Donate to Muslim News

Nigerians and the world need alternative journalism that unites Muslims; promotes Islam and spreads the universality of its true message.

If you help Allah’s cause, Allah will help you. Qur’an 22:40

Muslim News Nigeria is committed to reporting Islam and happenings in the Muslim world in accordance with Islamic principles based on truth and truth-telling (siddiq and haqq), pedagogy (tabligh), seeking the best for the public interest (maslahah), and moderation (wasatiyyah).

We have a fold of professional, conscious and devoted Muslims who work tirelessly on stories and those who donate to assist the cause.

News reporting and production is a process with different stages, each with its cost implication. Hence, as we appreciate existing supporters and sponsors, we look forward to more donations from well-meaning Muslims and members of the general public.

Your kind gesture will make our work seamless.

Donate now!!!

Rawshield PR Company,
GTB Account: 0568624004

About Us

Muslim News, a publication of Rawshield PR Media, is a mouthpiece for underreported Muslim achievers and events in Nigeria and across the world, which are never given prominence in the mainstream media.

Email: muslimnewsng@gmail.com
Tel: +234 805 240 4597

Our Mission

To give special media attention and coverage to important people and events in the life of Muslims that do not gain mainstream media attention, and to change the media narrative of blaming Islam and Muslims for offences committed in its lofty name.

About Us

Muslim News, a publication of Rawshield PR Media, is a mouthpiece for underreported Muslim achievers and events in Nigeria and across the world, which are never given prominence in the mainstream media.

Email: muslimnewsng@gmail.com
Tel: +234 906 869 5152

Our Mission

To give special media attention and coverage to important people and events in the life of Muslims that do not gain mainstream media attention, and to change the media narrative of blaming Islam and Muslims for offences committed in its lofty name.

Editorial Policy

We shall be fair to all persons, irrespective of their religions and ideologies, as long as that promotes the image of Islam and unites the Muslims. We shall also uphold the ethical standards of journalism, as allowed by Islamic ethics.

Support Muslim News

Rawshield PR Company

0568624004

Guaranty Trust Bank

  • Home
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Perspectives
  • Islam-tainment
  • Multimedia
  • iGuide
  • DONATE

© 2022 Published by RawshieldPR

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Nigeria News
  • Africa News
  • Middle East News
  • World News
  • Sports News
  • Support Muslim News Nigeria

© 2022 Published by RawshieldPR