GIZA, CAIRO: The boxers taking part in “Glory in Giza” on Wednesday spoke to international media and walked the red carpet at the venue where the event, part of Riyadh Season, will take place on Saturday.
Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk, who holds a perfect record of 24 wins without defeat, including 15 by knockout, told Arab News, “For me, it’s a (historic) fight. It’s my first time here and first time to face Rico. And it’s Riyadh Season,” adding that the event was owing to the efforts of Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
Usyk’s opponent in the main event, Dutch kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, commented: “The fight was six months (in the making); it’s been so much work. And then finally hearing about the fight happening versus Alexander Usyk and then you know that it’s happening, okay, but where is it going to happen? And then you hear it’s in front of the pyramids — wow, it’s historical, it’s insane, it’s beautiful, I love it.
“I always try to raise the bar as high as possible for myself, and that’s what we’re doing with this, so I prepared well, and I’m ready for this fight,” he told Arab News. “I’m going to enjoy myself, and of course, I’m going to win, I don’t care. The most important thing is I am going to win.”
Mauricio Sulaiman, World Boxing Council president, said: “This is happening in Egypt, and the Middle East has been growing in the past three years, and this is the beginning (of a) new era of boxing in Egypt — amateur boxing, professional boxing. We’re going to make sure that the Egyptian kids that will see this and want to become champions, we can help them make that dream a reality.”
Britain’s Jack Catterall, who has a record of 32-2 (14 by knockout) for the World Boxing Association’s regular welterweight title, told Arab News that “boxing in the area of the pyramids carries a special significance.
“It is a historic moment and unforgettable memory,” he said, adding that he has prepared well for the fight against Uzbek boxer Shakhram Giyasov.
Uganda’s Ali Sserunkuma, who will face Egypt’s Mohamed Mabrouk Yahya, expressed his delight at participating in this historic event in Giza, saying “the level of competition is extremely high, and the world’s interest in this event is very special.”
Japan’s Mizuki Hirota, who boasts a record of 10 wins without a loss, including two knockouts, and is set to defend The Ring and World Boxing Organization superfly belts against Egypt’s Mai Suleiman, also revealed her excitement at being part of this event.
The participation of Arab fighters was the highlight of the day’s events, with Egyptian boxers Bassem Mamdouh, Mohamed Mabrouk Yahia, and Omar Heikal featuring on the card, alongside Saudi boxer Sultan Al-Mohammed.
