“Kingdom Arena” in Riyadh today hosted the opening of Fight Week with a large crowd and media turnout to welcome young British contender Moses Itauma and seasoned veteran Dillian Whyte, ahead of their highly anticipated heavyweight clash set for next Saturday at anb Arena. The bout is one of the headline boxing events taking place within the Esports World Cup.
The fight promises to be a real test for the undefeated Itauma, who boasts a perfect 20-fight record with 10 wins by knockout. Meanwhile, Whyte, with his extensive experience and a professional record of 31 victories (21 by knockout) and 3 losses, is looking to reclaim his place on the global stage after returning from a hand injury that sidelined him for several months.
Fight Week will continue tomorrow with open training sessions, offering fans and media the chance to see the fighters up close in the ring before the big fight night. These sessions set the tone for the following stages of Fight Week, building anticipation toward fight night.
In addition to the Itauma–Whyte clash, the card will feature several high-profile international bouts, including a lightweight showdown between Britain’s Nick Ball and Australia’s Sam Goodman, both aiming to maintain their undefeated records and strengthen their bids for world title contention. WBA featherweight champion Raymond Ford will also face Puerto Rican powerhouse Abraham Nova in what is expected to be one of the evening’s most competitive matchups, given both fighters’ impressive records and skill sets.
Also on the card, Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgović will meet Britain’s David Adeleye, while Japan’s Hayato Tsutsumi will take on Britain’s Qais Ashfaq in a bout combining Asian speed with British ringcraft.
This major boxing event is part of the Esports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, featuring 25 tournaments over seven weeks, with a total prize pool of $70 million. More than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from around the globe are participating, in a unique blend of digital entertainment and live combat sports action.