Messi and Ronaldo force Saudi Arabia to build new arena for Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder's fights. Everything you should know

Saudi Arabia will soon convert the boxing ring that staged Tyson Fury's clash with Francis Ngannou in October into a football stadium. The authorities are laying turf at that place so that it is ready to stage Al-Nassr against the Inter Miami clash in the Riyadh Season Cup on February 1, 2024. The old rivals Messi and Ronaldo will lock horns in this game once again after years of battles in La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is being called 'The Last Dance'.

Al-Hilal's home ground

The football stadium will have a seating capacity of 26,000 fans. It will be turned into Al-Hilal's home ground. Before that, a ring will be built in the main stadium for Fury’s undisputed heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.

Riyadh Season Cup

The turf has just been laid and the authorities can’t risk it being damaged ahead of the Riyadh Season Cup early next year. So, they have built an arena within the complex for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder’s bout with Joseph Parker this weekend. It is a part of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season which is a huge winter event, full of sporting events and concerts.

Anthony Joshua seeks redemption

Anthony Joshua seeks redemption after his victory over Andy Ruiz in the country back in 2019. Meanwhile, Wilder aims to make his mark against Parker, stepping into uncharted territory with determination. So these boxing events are significant for Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua- Deontay Wilder clash

Talking about the potential showdown between Joshua, Wilder told the BBC, "The future is bright, and we are farther in talks than we've ever been in history." The boxing world awaits eagerly for a monumental deal to materialize that could set the stage for an iconic clash between two heavyweight titans.

FAQs:

Why are Saudi authorities converting a boxing ring into a football stadium?
Saudi authorities are converting a boxing ring into a stadium so that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may lock horns in the game that is being billed as 'The Last Dance'. The preparations are being made to stage the Al-Nassr vs Inter Miami clash in the Riyadh Season Cup on February 1, 2024.

Why an arena has been built in a stadium?
The Saudi authorities have built an arena within a sports complex for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder’s bout with Joseph Parker this weekend.