Four Brits thrive in Saudi Arabia (but now have to go home)

NINE DAYS ago, Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall met for the second time in a battle presented by “Forged Irish Stout, Riyadh Season, and Drip”.

This, like the theme song of the late CBeebies show, was a phrase repeated throughout the event by late night announcer David Diamante and each time it was said one couldn't help but feel confused by the thought of the star of Road housean endless celebration in the Middle East, and the preferred water of a man whose name I found a few seconds ago thanks to Google all supporting British boxing tonight.

Yes, they were only sponsors, so no problem there, but it was strange to find out both that there was someone called Big Zuu and that the Riyadh Season had somehow made it to Leeds. If nothing else, the latter proved just how pervasive the influence of the Middle East on British boxing has been in recent times. It also suggested that, going forward, there would be some form of attachment regardless of where the war was fought; regardless, again, of long-term effects.

For now, all we know is that fights like Taylor vs. Catterall II are reduced due to many bigger and better wars taking place in Saudi Arabia. On either side of that fight, for example, you had two shows there: one headlined by the heavyweight fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury and the much talked about “5 v 5” concept where boxers from Matchroom and Queensberry were present. they argue with each other. Between these shows there was always the risk of a Taylor vs. Catterall II without a clue and certainly, if you talked to anyone outside the boxing bubble, you wouldn't get a clue that the fight would go on that weekend, much less the huge interest in it.

This becomes even more poignant when you consider the importance of the controversy that followed the pair's first fight, which was shown by Sky Sports in 2022. At the time, it seemed that the two super-lightweights were on the verge of becoming major rivals if they had the chance. getting at least some money from what many believe were faulty score cards. Quick revenge, it seemed, was not only the next natural fight for the two but, like the 2014 match between Carl Froch and George Groves, there was a sense, too, that it would be much bigger and more important than the first. .

As it turned out, this did not happen. Instead, Taylor lost his belts against Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall continued to wait (winning a few fights in the process). Finally, almost by accident, they were finally brought together again, in Leeds of all places, and found themselves sandwiched – like rubber cheese or dinosaur meat – between two slices of freshly baked sourdough. This did nothing to disrupt the appetites of the already war-hungry, one must point out, but it was hard not to think how much bigger the rematch would have been if (a) it had happened sooner and (b) it hadn't been an afterthought. for all the fun happening right now in Saudi Arabia.

In fact, when you look at a fight like Taylor vs. Catterall II, and when you consider the speed at which major battles are being waged in the Middle East, you begin to question whether this, a fight like Taylor vs. Catterall II, it will be as good as it gets in British boxing at the moment. Meaning: are we now at a stage where any fight is bigger than Taylor vs. Catterall II will definitely end up happening in the Middle East, regardless of the nationality of the two boxers involved?

Jack Catterall celebrates beating Josh Taylor in Leeds

For the boxers this is not something that affects the fans. After all, they want to get paid and by all accounts in the Middle East that's what happens: you get it paid. To them, a ring is a ring and they didn't care if the pay required them to fight in front of thousands of English fans at home or a bunch of sheikhs in other countries. They will simply go where the money is, as is their right.

Yet for fans, and the health of British boxing, he wonders about the long-term implications of this latest development. If, for example, the big fights start to dry up in the UK, the viewing figures for the sport in the UK will always decrease, along with the collective desire to attend events on occasion. do took place on British soil. It will be seen more as a television product and not something you attend and pay for a ticket. Now we have apps, after all. We have illegal streams. We have wall to wall on our hands. Why bother leaving the house?

Likewise, by paying purses to fighters to ensure that big fights take place in Saudi Arabia, you only widen the gap between those at the top and those at the bottom. This will, in time enough, begin to imitate society as you would like to do it; that is, eliminating the middle class of boxing, leaving us with the very rich and those struggling to stay warm.

On Saturday (June 1) in Riyadh, we had a selection of British boxers from that middle class, each of whom emerged victorious. We had Willy Hutchinson, we had Nick Ball, we had Hamzah Sheeraz, and we had Daniel Dubois. Everything, a few years ago, would have been the kind of soldiers you can see in the best events in the UK, only now, thanks to a change of sea, they have the option to find their best winnings in Saudi Arabia and maybe get a job. – The best payment days to start. This, again, is perfectly fine. It is understandable. Something done. However, if you look at the British talent involved in that “5 v 5” event, it is nevertheless important to emphasize the need for these boxers to start/continue building their careers in the UK – the best events here – and resist the temptation. to be key players or side dishes in future Saudi events. Bring them all home, in other words. Bring them home to help us find stability and sustainability in the UK. Bring them home to ensure that the Riyadh Season remains a fruitful season for British boxers and not their entire identity, lifestyle, and profession.

Nick Ball and his WBA belt