British heavyweight, Derek Chisora, has issued a warning to Las Vegas after Saudi Arabia’s recent rise in the boxing scene.
After hosting Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz in 2019, a new wave of money entered the market, as Saudi Arabia erupted onto the boxing scene as a new option to promoters.
Since ‘AJ’ reclaimed his unified heavyweight title, he has returned to Saudi in another rematch, but this time failed in his attempts to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
It seemed that Usyk would also return to fight in Saudi for the second time later this year, in the much-anticipated undisputed heavyweight title fight against Tyson Fury. However, talks for that fight to take place in the Middle East have since collapsed and it now seems that, if the pair meet one another in the ring, it will be at Wembley Stadium.
Prince Khalid, who employs Derek Chisora as a promoter at his promotional company, ‘Skill Challenge’, instead hosted another of 2023’s biggest fights, even if it was an eight-rounder, as Jake Paul faced Tommy Fury at the Diriyah Arena.
In an interview with Seconds Out, Chisora sent a message that Saudi Arabia is well and truly on the rise and ready to challenge Las Vegas as the regular hosts of the biggest fights in the sport.
“We were here when ‘AJ’ got his titles back, so today was amazing in so many aspects. The first female boxer from Saudi, in Saudi, we had young up-and-coming Saudi fighters and the biggest YouTuber fight in Saudi.
All I can say is, the days of Vegas are done.”
Whilst clearly enjoying his new role at Skill Challenge, Chisora’s days inside the ring are not over, even if some well-respected figures in the sport believe that he should call it a day. Instead, Chisora has revealed plans to fight former UFC champion, Frances Ngannou and has also been linked to a trilogy fight against Dillian Whyte.