Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and the “big toe of God” near Mecca
by Martin Armbruster
So now it’s clear: Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury. August 14th. Saudi Arabia. Not in England, the home of boxing. Not in glittering Las Vegas. Not in the boxing mecca of Madison Square Garden in New York City. No: In the desert, close to the real Mecca, the British are fighting for the heavyweight world championship title, which the American writer Norman Mailer once called “God’s big toe”. For many boxing fans, but even more so for human rights, this is a bitter fallout. Joshua vs. Fury is by no means the first big World Cup fight on totalitarian terrain.
Parallels to “Rumble in the Jungle”
Muhammad Ali’s triumph over George Foreman in “Rumble in the Jungle” is a boxing myth. Albeit one that is often glorified. Certainly: The Boxing World Cup in Zaire (now DR Congo) was the first major event on African soil (up to the Soccer World Cup 2010 in South Africa, the biggest ever). Many Africans felt proud that the descendants of enslaved Africans fought for the championship of all classes “at home”.
What is often not mentioned in the jungle saga: Zaire’s ruthless dictator Mobutu had 100 randomly selected prisoners executed before the fight – in the middle of the May 20 stadium in Kinshasa, where Ali sent Foreman to the mat on October 30, 1974 . Mobutu’s mass execution was intended as a warning to the Congolese. Just don’t give up. The fight should finally present a glossy Zaire to the world public.
The tyrant had previously opened the suitcase to bring the jungle brawl into his stable, African “model state”. Five million dollars for Ali, five for Foreman – a record at the time. With the 10 million injection, it was easy for promoter Don King to convince boxing rivals of their roots.
Muhammad Ali was celebrated by the people of the Congo around the “Rumble in the Jungle”
–
–
Boxing spectacle promises more than $ 300 million
46 years later, the Saudis (adjusted for inflation) spend almost three times as much, $ 150 million, to fight for the undisputed heavyweight world championship in their kingdom. Exactly where the battle will take place is still open. It boils down to the capital Riyadh or the port metropolis of Jeddah on the Red Sea. One thing is already certain: The desert clash will be an unparalleled spectacle and, with everything zipp and zapp, should turn over more than 300 million dollars.
As with Ali, Foreman, Don King and Mobutu in 1974, Fury, Joshua, promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi Prince Khalid are all about business in 2021. Boxing takes place where there is the most money. In the price war, which, unlike football, has never claimed a role model for the world, this is a truism. And the Saudis, Hearn makes no secret of this, simply pay the most.
It is understandable that Fury and Joshua, who ultimately hold out their heads on August 14th, keep their pockets as full as possible. Who – be honest! – wouldn’t access it?
Only: The fighters shouldn’t pose as shining role models – especially not Sunny Boy Joshua. The British ring darling is performing in Saudi Arabia for the second time. “AJ” had already boxed in the desert at the end of 2019, when he won his world championship belt from Andy Ruiz jr. back. Afterwards, the Briton took pictures with the Saudi prince and praised the hosts in the highest tones. It is not known whether the cheering prints were part of the contract.
–
Anthony Joshua (here next to promoter Eddie Hearn) already fought in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2019
–
–
“Sportswashing” accusation
One thing is clear: Just like Mobutu once did, Saudi Arabia wants to put itself in the “right” light in front of the world. “Sportswashing” is the accusation of human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. In other words: by hosting an international sporting event, a (rogue) state polishes its image in the world, distracts from atrocities – yes, it washes itself clean.
The list of atrocities from Saudi Arabia is long, considering the annual reports by human rights activists: war in Yemen, oppression of the Shiite minority in the country, elimination of regime critics, whipping of homosexuals, discrimination against women, exploitation of “guest workers”. The latter are also used again for Joshua vs. Fury to stamp the promised arena for the boxing spectacle out of the desert.
How many workers do you think will be burned in construction in the Saudi summer? Many boxing fans will either not have asked this question in the first place or have long since pushed it aside when it says “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
Revenge fight is to take place in Great Britain
Many fans – especially in England – are annoyed that the fight of the year is taking place in the Middle East, which is so far away. Certainly: The corona pandemic is currently making it difficult to get a major event off the ground in Europe. However, Chelsea FC and Leicester City have only just played the final of the English FA Cup in front of 21,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium.
Why, asks Boxing Britain, don’t our “Lads” fight at home too? Why can’t we cheer on our heroes in the stadium with a pint in hand? Why not go on an atmospheric trip to Vegas or New York, especially since a boxing World Cup was recently held in Texas in front of 70,000 spectators? Why 0.0 fabric and a bad desert atmosphere instead?
The answer to all of these questions is clear. Everyone knows them, everyone understands them, nobody really likes them. Of course, nothing changes. After all: According to promoter Hearn, the contractually agreed revenge between Joshua and Fury should definitely take place in Great Britain. Maybe already in winter. Let’s wait and see.
– .
