ProbarGOLD- Free

Saudi incognito Usyk and Fury's titanic tussle flies under the radar in surreal Riyadh
The Guardian|December 19, 2024
Fight week in Riyadh, at least to an outsider, is an often ghostly experience.
- Donald McRae
Saudi incognito Usyk and Fury's titanic tussle flies under the radar in surreal Riyadh

Unless you're up close and talking to the actual fighters, to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, or seeing them step off a parked jumbo jet to make their outrageously grand arrivals in front of a small group of local dignitaries, chattering YouTube outlets and jaded reporters, boxing feels like a mysterious rumour from the other side of the world.

It's hard to gauge how many of the 7 million people who live in this vast and teeming city are even aware that Usyk will defend his world heavyweight titles against Fury on Saturday night, in a rematch of their classic first fight in Riyadh just seven months ago. I have spent hours this week in the company of various Uber drivers, as we crisscross the city, and the chattier men tend to ask two questions: where are you from? Why are you here?

My first answer has elicited some pretty informed insights into the surprising rise of Chelsea this season, the inexplicable loss of Arsenal's creativity and the slow implosion of Manchester City. It says something for the Premier League's global sway that there is such knowledge of their teams - but it also shows immediate evidence of a real football culture in Saudi Arabia.

Esta historia es de la edición December 19, 2024 de The Guardian.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 19, 2024 de The Guardian.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE GUARDIANVer todo
Stokes faces three months out but vows to fight back
The Guardian

Stokes faces three months out but vows to fight back

Ben Stokes said he was prepared to go through \"blood, sweat and tears\" for England after it was announced he will undergo surgery in January and is out of action for at least three months with a torn hamstring.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
'Huge blow' Saka's hamstring tear leaves Arsenal scrambling for options
The Guardian

'Huge blow' Saka's hamstring tear leaves Arsenal scrambling for options

Mikel Arteta has said he and Arsenal must find a way to cope without Bukayo Saka after confirming the England forward is set to be sidelined for \"many weeks\" due to the hamstring injury he sustained against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 24, 2024
'We have to change for the better': Kulusevski on what's next for Spurs
The Guardian

'We have to change for the better': Kulusevski on what's next for Spurs

Forward says his side need to evolve after Sunday's painful defeat to leaders Liverpool

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 24, 2024
Juric vows 'death metal football' style for Saints
The Guardian

Juric vows 'death metal football' style for Saints

Southampton's new manager, Ivan Juric, says he plans to implement an aggressive style of play similar to death metal, his favourite genre of music.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
Liverpool's lead at the top is due to much more than good luck
The Guardian

Liverpool's lead at the top is due to much more than good luck

They may have faced some teams at the right time but Slot has improved players to the extent it is their title to lose

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 24, 2024
The Guardian

Amorim given free rein over Rashford call

Ruben Amorim's exclusion of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United's past three match-day squads is solely his decision, with the head coach under no pressure from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's football department.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
'We do what the police cannot': Fanprojekte face battle to survive
The Guardian

'We do what the police cannot': Fanprojekte face battle to survive

A German court case threatens the existence of projects that play a crucial social-work role with football fans

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 24, 2024
'It's opened my mind': inside the FA's all-female coaching course
The Guardian

'It's opened my mind': inside the FA's all-female coaching course

WSL stars past and present have signed up to an A licence course that aims to boost the number of female coaches

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 24, 2024
Clayton edges past Mansell in sudden-death thriller
The Guardian

Clayton edges past Mansell in sudden-death thriller

Jonny Clayton won a sudden-death leg in the deciding set to edge past Mickey Mansell and book his place in the third round of the PDC world championship after an epic contest at Alexandra Palace.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
Fury ceased clowning to push Usyk to his limits but this special champion always finds a new gear
The Guardian

Fury ceased clowning to push Usyk to his limits but this special champion always finds a new gear

Once upon a time, the world stopped to watch when the heavyweight championship was at stake. Oleksandr Usyk's unanimous-decision triumph over Tyson Fury in Riyadh on Saturday was barely noticed.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 24, 2024

Usamos cookies para proporcionar y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al usan nuestro sitio aceptas el uso de cookies. Learn more