Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium

Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium
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Anthony Joshua will take on Daniel Dubois, as Riyadh Season comes to London, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21. (Supplied)
Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium
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Anthony Joshua will take on Daniel Dubois, as Riyadh Season comes to London, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 June 2024
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Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium

Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium
  • Former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on IBF interim heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in what is expected to be an intriguing contest
  • Frank Warren: ‘British fight fans and fans tuning in across the world will be treated to a British version of the quality of shows that are now a hallmark of Riyadh’

LONDON: Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh has confirmed that Joshua V Dubois will top the Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21.

As Riyadh Season comes to London, former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on IBF interim heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in what is expected to be an intriguing contest.

Alalshikh said: “We are pleased to bring two of the world’s current best heavyweight fighters together in their home city of London and at Wembley Stadium, a historic venue for boxing.

“We know it will be another exciting contest, complemented by a great undercard of fights, and we look forward to giving British fans and visitors to London the opportunity to experience a Riyadh Season event just a matter of weeks before we officially launch the 2024 Season in Riyadh in October.”

The headline attraction is one of six all-British fights confirmed to take place at the iconic Wembley Stadium, which will feature a special guest music act that has yet to be announced.

Among the matchups, two-time world featherweight champion Josh Warrington returns to world title action by going up against the current super featherweight world champion Anthony Cacace. Hamzah Sheeraz, who recently secured a knockout victory against Austin Williams during the hugely successful 5 v 5 fight night in Riyadh, will take on European middleweight champion Tyler Denny.

Former British Olympian Josh Kelly will face former WBO super welterweight champion Liam Smith while the undefeated 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi will go into battle for the WBO Interim world championship by taking on Willy Hutchinson, who impressed at Kingdom Arena after claiming an impressive points victory over Craig Richards on the 5 v 5 card.

WBA Intercontinental champion Mark Chamberlain is also set to feature on the card against undefeated fellow British lightweight Josh Padley.

Frank Warren, Chairman of Queensberry Promotions, said: “Riyadh Season lands in London with the most spectacular and gripping event ever to be witnessed in this country. On September 21, British fight fans and fans tuning in across the world will be treated to a British version of the quality of shows that are now a hallmark of Riyadh, headlined by what promises to be a breathtaking clash of the big hitters between the new IBF interim world champion Daniel Dubois and the former unified champion Anthony Joshua.

“The undercard is simply unprecedented, with Willy Hutchinson being rewarded for his magnificent display on the 5 v 5 with a shot at the WBO Interim light heavyweight title against fellow British contender Joshua Buatsi in what is a huge opportunity for both fighters. Hamzah Sheeraz going up against European title holder Tyler Denny following Hamzah’s exploits in Riyadh last time out is another fight I can’t wait to watch.

“Anthony Cacace defending his super featherweight world titles against former featherweight world champion Josh Warrington promises to be all-out warfare.

“Liam Smith taking on Josh Kelly will be a classic confrontation at super welterweight and a clash between the old guard and the new.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Boxing, said: “AJ is back at the National Stadium on what will be a blockbuster event. Riyadh Season comes to London and we are confident this will be a historic night full of opportunity for the fighters and drama for fans around the world.”

This London fight night represents the second Riyadh Season Card to be staged outside of Saudi Arabia, with the first taking place overseas in Los Angeles on August 3 as Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov compete for the WBA and WBO Interim World Super Welterweight title.

Tickets go on general sale at noon on Friday 28 June from TicketMaster.co.uk


ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai

ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai
Updated 24 December 2024
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ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai

ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai
  • The tournament is set to begin on 19 February in Karachi, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand
  • ICC says Lahore will host the final match of the cricket contest on 9 March, unless India qualify

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromise decision after India refused to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. Exercising its rights as the host nation, Pakistan designated Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches, ensuring all teams’ participation.
“The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures and groupings have been announced by the ICC ... with the tournament set to begin on 19 February in Karachi with the final on 9 March,” the global governing body of cricket announced in a statement on its website.
“The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai,” it added. “Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semifinals and the final will have reserve days.”
In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal.
Meanwhile, Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on February 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy and its return after an eight-year hiatus, the last tournament having taken place in England in 2017. The event will feature the top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
The hybrid model, while a logistical challenge, aims to strike a balance between accommodating geopolitical realities and ensuring the integrity of the tournament, which cricket fans worldwide await.


West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6

West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6
Updated 24 December 2024
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West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6

West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6
  • West Indies to play two Test matches against Pakistan in Multan from Jan. 17-29, says PCB 
  • West Indies last toured Pakistan for a Test series in November 2006 for three-match series

ISLAMABAD: The West Indian national men’s cricket team will arrive for their first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday, during which they will play two Test matches. 

The last time the West Indies played a Test series on Pakistani soil was in November 2006, when they played three Tests. Their last Test away Test series against Pakistan was in the UAE in October 2016, which was selected as Pakistan’s home venue for cricket series after 2009 when a militant attack in Lahore scared away international cricket teams from touring the country. 

The former two-time ODI World Cup champions have, however, thrice toured Pakistan since April 2018— one for an ODI series in June 2022 and twice for a bilateral T20I series in April 2018 and December 2021. 

“The West Indies cricket team will arrive in Islamabad on 6 January and after playing a three-day match against Pakistan Shaheens from 10-12 January at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, they will take on Pakistan in back-to-back Tests in Multan,” the PCB said. “The first Test will be played from 17-21 January, while the second Test will be held from 25-29 January.”

International cricket teams refused to play cricket in Pakistan for years after militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players and killing two civilians and six security officials.

International cricket and its stars, however, slowly returned to playing in the country as the security situation in Pakistan gradually improved. The South Asian country is gearing up to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from February to March next year. 

This will be the first time that Pakistan will be hosting an ICC tournament on its home soil since 1996 when it co-hosted the ICC ODI World Cup won by Sri Lanka. 


Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta

Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta
Updated 24 December 2024
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Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta

Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta
  • Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, slipped a spot to 16th and sit just one point clear of the relegation zone

MILAN, Italy: Inter Milan saw off Como 2-0 on Monday to stretch their unbeaten run in Serie A to 11 games and move back to within three points of leaders Atalanta.
Defender Carlos Augusto headed in from a corner early in the second half before Marcus Thuram wrapped up a fourth successive league win with a thumping finish in stoppage time.
Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a crucial save on the hour to deny Nico Paz an equalizer as Simone Inzaghi’s side showed signs of weariness at the San Siro in what was their third outing in a week.
Thuram’s goal was his 12th of the season and sent him level with Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui for the league lead.
“Marcus is a high-class player who always trains well and has adapted very quickly to the way we play,” said Inzaghi.
“You have to congratulate Como for coming here and giving it their all, but we stayed focused and showed great maturity.”
Third-placed Inter are a point behind Napoli but have played a game less than the top two teams after their match with Fiorentina was called off at the start of December following Edoardo Bove’s sudden collapse.
Reigning champions Inter visit lowly Cagliari this weekend and could put the pressure back on Atalanta, who are away to Lazio in the late game on Saturday.
Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, slipped a spot to 16th and sit just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Fiorentina lost more ground in the title race after falling to a 2-1 home defeat by Udinese.
Moise Kean’s early penalty gave Fiorentina the lead as they sought to shake off last weekend’s loss to Bologna that snapped the club’s eight-match winning streak in Serie A.
However, Udinese equalized shortly after half-time through Lorenzo Lucca and former France international Florian Thauvin curled in the winner from outside the area.
“The most important thing for me is not the goal but the victory. These are three important points against a very strong team,” said Udinese captain Thauvin.
Udinese stayed ninth and are eight points off the European places.


Complete lineup for February UFC event in Riyadh announced

Complete lineup for February UFC event in Riyadh announced
Updated 24 December 2024
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Complete lineup for February UFC event in Riyadh announced

Complete lineup for February UFC event in Riyadh announced

RIYADH: Organizers confirmed on Monday the complete list of fighters for the UFC Fight Night event in the Saudi capital on Feb. 1.
Israel Adesanya versus Nassourdine Imavov is the main event for the second UFC event held in the Kingdom.
The card features Dagestani fighter Said Nurmagomedov (18-3-0) will face Brazilian Vinicius “Lok Dog” Oliveira (21-3-0), while Tajik Muhammad Naimov (11-3-0) squares off against Australian Kaan Ofli (12-3-1).
In another bout, American Terrance McKinney (15-7-0) will clash with Denmark’s Damir Hadzovic (14-7-0), and Austrian Bogdan Grad (14-2-0) will meet Brazilian Lucas Alexander (8-4-0).
Highlighting Arab representation, Egyptian Hamdy Abdelwahab (5-0-0) will take on American Jamal Boggs (11-4-0), while Bahraini Shamil Gaziev (13-1-0) faces a tough challenge against American Thomas Petersen (9-2-0).
The excitement continues as Americans Jordan Leavitt (11-3-0) and Abdul Kareem Al-Selwady (15-4-0) battle it out, and Russian Sergei Pavlovich (18-3-0) faces Surinamese fighter Jairzinho “Bigi Boy” Rozenstruik (15-5-0).
Dagestani Ikram Aliskerov (15-2-0) will take on Brazilian André Muniz (24-6-0) in a blockbuster bout.
Adesanya, the Nigerian-born New Zealander, is one of UFC’s all-time greats, making a return after a title fight against Dricus du Plessis earlier this year. He is determined to reclaim his dominance with a decisive victory over Imavov.
In June the UFC hosted the first ever event in the Kingdom, bringing the premier fighting championship to Saudi fans of MMA.
Tickets are available for the event at the anb Arena on Jan. 3.


Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri out of remainder of Gulf Cup after injury in first match

Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri out of remainder of Gulf Cup after injury in first match
Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri out of remainder of Gulf Cup after injury in first match

Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri out of remainder of Gulf Cup after injury in first match
  • Loss of the player, a standout performer recently, after picking up a muscle injury in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Bahrain is a significant blow

KUWAIT CITY: Saudi national team striker Saleh Al-Shehri has been ruled out of the remainder of the 26th Gulf Cup after sustaining a muscle injury during the Green Falcons’ opening match against Bahrain on Sunday.

Head coach Herve Renard made the decision to send Al-Shehri home from the team’s training camp after medical reports confirmed the injury will require treatment and rehabilitation.

Saudi Arabia suffered a 3-2 defeat in the match against Bahrain. The loss of Al-Shehri, a key player and standout performer for the team in recent months, will be a significant blow for the squad as they attempt to get their Gulf Cup campaign back on track against Yemen at Jaber Stadium in Kuwait on Wednesday.

During a training session on Monday evening, Renard divided the squad into two groups, with the players who started on Sunday focusing on recovery exercises in the gym while the remainder of the squad trained on the pitch at Al-Nassr Club Stadium.