Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight responds to concerns over Saudi Arabia fight

Joshua (right) lost his WBA (Super), WBO and IBF heavyweight titles to Usyk in London last year

"I'm here for boxing."

Those were the words of British heavyweight Anthony Joshua when questioned over the controversy surrounding his world-title challenge against Oleksandr Usyk taking place in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

Speaking at a media event in Jeddah on Monday, the 32-year-old added: "That's all I can really say. I think it's been an amazing experience for me.

"I've been out with the people. Walking with the people. I've been in the local gym. I don't really lock myself away. It's been nice for me. I don't really know what else I can say on that.

"I need to get the job done on Saturday."

The Kingdom has sought to stage sporting and entertainment events in recent years in a bid to attract visitors and move away from its oil-dependent economy.

But human rights organisation Amnesty International has highlighted the country's "abysmal" human rights record.

Heavy restrictions on freedom of expression, women's rights and the treatment of the LGBT community have been raised, as has the use of the death penalty for offences not recognised as crimes under international law, and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Joshua will be fighting in Saudi Arabia for the second time, having beaten Andy Ruiz in the capital Riyadh in 2019.

'Deflecting the conversation'

Amnesty UK says the country's strategy of staging major sport - known as Vision 2030 - is deflecting conversation away from "the big story about Saudi Arabia".

The Kingdom has hosted Formula 1, tennis and other major sporting events in recent years, while the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league this year has seen players accepting huge appearance fees to take part.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) - of which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is chairman - also completed a takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United in October.

"It's clear that Riyadh's calculation is that sport is going to gradually relax people talking about executions, jailing, murdering of journalists and bombing in Yemen," said Felix Jakens, Amnesty's head of priority campaigns.

When questioned in July on the controversial nature of the fight, both Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn focused on the growth of boxing in the country.

"Since we were last there [in 2019], they've opened 49 boxing gyms," Joshua told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Hearn added: "Tell me things that I'm interested in. Investment into the sport within the country. Investment into the grassroots level within the country.

"Our government could learn a lot from the way Saudi are investing in the grassroots of boxing there. Participation is up 300% in amateur boxing clubs since the Ruiz fight. There's a genuine interest in the sport.

"Does there need to be more change? Loads of it. Is there change? I see it."

But Amnesty have challenged his comments about change, saying the "human rights record is getting much, much worse".

"It's very, very difficult to determine what he's talking about from a human rights perspective because everything that Amnesty and our partners are witnessing is a deterioration in human rights in Saudi Arabia," said Jakens.

"For example, Saudi executed 81 people in a single day earlier this year by beheading. Punishment for adultery for married people remains stoning to death, the war in Yemen rages on, and the number of people being rounded up for using their freedom of expression or criticising the government is increasing."

Joshua reportedly earned £66m for the Ruiz rematch in 2019, with unconfirmed reports suggesting he could earn up to £100m this time around.

Joshua fought in Saudi Arabia in December 2019, beating Andy Ruiz Jr to recapture the world titles he lost six months earlier

'Female fight shows change is being made'

Jeddah will also host the Kingdom's first professional female boxing bout when British-based Somali super-bantamweight Ramla Ali faces Crystal Garcia Nova on the undercard.

In 2018, Saudi authorities arrested, and subsequently put on trial, a number of women's rights activists who had led a campaign to lift a ban on women driving.

Ali says the request for her to be added to the card came directly from the Saudi royal family, which she believes "demonstrates they're trying to make change".

The undefeated boxer adds: "How can you blame someone who's trying to make this huge change? I just don't get that.

"This isn't just a gimmick of let's stick on women. They're trying to make change and if I am trying to fight for women's rights, why wouldn't I support a country who is trying to change women's rights?"

Ramla Ali will feature in the first professional women's fight to be held in Saudi Arabia

However, Northern Ireland's former world champion Carl Frampton believes sportspeople should be more open on their intentions for competing in Saudi Arabia.

"I've heard some of the explanations and people talking about wanting to promote the sport in the Middle East," Frampton says.

"I just think people would accept it if athletes just said the money was too good to turn down and that's why I'm doing it.

"We're professional athletes who are in it to win fights or tournaments, but we're also professional athletes who are in it to make money for ourselves and our family.

"It's a short career. You have a small window to make your money. So make hay while the sun shines."

'Duty bound' to raise awareness

Amnesty UK has called on athletes competing in the country to speak out on issues, and praised Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton for raising awareness.

In March, ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix, Hamilton said he was not comfortable racing in the country and that it was not the drivers' "responsibility" in choosing where to race - but that they are "duty bound" to raise awareness.

"We've been really receptive to what Lewis Hamilton's done," said Jakens. "He's made himself fully aware of the human rights situation in the countries that he's visiting.

"We've never said to Anthony Joshua or anyone that they shouldn't box in Saudi Arabia. That's not our position. We're saying the reason that sport is suddenly going to Saudi is so they can improve that image. It's a PR opportunity for them.

"We know where the money that's coming for this fight is coming from; it's coming from the Saudi government.

"So he's not going to necessarily feel like he's in a position to speak too critically of the human rights situation there, but we've seen that it can be done."

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