Riyadh Season reinforces Saudi Arabia’s status as a boxing hub 
Fresh from hosting the record-breaking Riyadh Season: Wembley Edition in London, which sold over 98,000 tickets, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority is gearing up for a dynamic return for Riyadh Season to the Kingdom with an exciting lineup of boxing events for autumn and winter.
With a continued commitment to staging world-class events, the authority — led by Turki Al-Sheikh — continues to place Saudi Arabia firmly on the international sporting map, offering boxing fans a series of impactful contests that will define the upcoming months in the sport’s landscape.
This year’s Riyadh Season will open on Oct. 12 with the IV Crown Showdown, an undisputed light heavyweight championship bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, in which all four belts in the division will be on the line.
This electrifying bout between two of the sport’s top champions promises to showcase boxing at its elite, peak best. Beterbiev, known for his perfect knockout record, will face Bivol, a tactical master, creating a compelling contrast of styles.
The IV Crown Showdown card is further bolstered by appearances from fan-favorite fighters. Chris Eubank Jr., Ben Whittaker, and the hotly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley will all feature prominently.
Clarke and Wardley’s last encounter ended in a controversial draw, and both fighters will aim to settle the score in thrilling fashion.
Perhaps most significantly, Raven Chapman will challenge Skye Nicolson in the first female world championship fight ever to take place on Saudi soil.
This historic bout marks a pivotal turning point for Saudi Arabia as it continues to embrace a progressive shift toward greater opportunities for female athletes.
Adding to the international appeal of Riyadh Season is Latino Night. Taking place on Nov. 16, this event will showcase the fighting spirit and heritage of Mexico and Puerto Rico.
WBA Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will challenge WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Chris Billam-Smith, with the victor emerging as the unified champion of the division.
Riyadh Season will be home to another massive event on Dec. 21 with Usyk vs. Fury 2. As the previous fight provided all of the drama of a classic, this rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is already gaining traction as they faceoff once more for the WBC, WBO, WBA, IBO, and The Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.
Fury’s outspoken personality and towering frame will once again meet Usyk’s slick, technical style, promising an intense battle for heavyweight supremacy.
The card will also feature the rising Ukrainian star Serhii Bohachuk, known for his explosive power, while Hamzah Sheeraz, Riyadh Season ambassador, is rumored to be making an appearance, adding an extra layer of excitement for local and international fans.
As Riyadh Season progresses, it becomes evident that the General Entertainment Authority’s ambitions for boxing are far-reaching.
The Kingdom continues to carve out a prominent space in the global sporting landscape, and with each successive event it further cements its status as a premier destination for the world’s biggest and most exciting boxing spectacles.
- Cormac O’Donnell is an Irish educator who has lived in the UAE since 2018. A longtime combat sports enthusiast, he is keen to bring Western eyes to developments in the Gulf region.
