Eddie Hearn would be open to playing the Saudi Arabian anthem at every fight if the country funding boxing asked him to, amid ongoing accusations that the Gulf kingdom is using sport to improve its image as a repressive regime. Criticism arose over the decision to play the anthem before Saturday’s heavyweight bout between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua at Wembley. The event was part of the Riyadh Season series, supported by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, chaired by Turki Alalshikh, an advisor to the royal court.
Hearn stated that, given the substantial investment Turki has made in the sport, he believes it is appropriate to play the anthem as a gesture of respect. “He’s provided British boxing, all the fighters, and all the fans with the best night, funding it all,” Hearn told iFL TV. “I couldn’t have staged that event, nor could Frank Warren. It’s a sign of respect for the effort put into creating this event—and for 20 seconds, is it really a big deal? He could have held that show in Riyadh, and everyone would say: ‘Oh, another big fight in Riyadh.’ But instead, he chose to spend the money to do it in the UK, giving everyone an incredible night and opportunities, yet we still find a reason to complain about the national anthem. If they want, I’ll play the anthem at every show for what they’re doing.”
Hearn maintained that there was no hidden agenda behind Saudi’s involvement in the sport, emphasizing that their goal is to create great events. “Riyadh Season, like any sponsor, seeks global visibility and to elevate its profile,” he added. Hearn also suggested that the accreditation issue at Wembley was simply due to limited space. Oliver Brown, a Daily Telegraph reporter, had his pass revoked after criticizing Saudi involvement in boxing in an opinion piece. Hearn explained that over 350 accreditation requests were received and that Gareth Davies, another sports writer from the Telegraph, was present at the event. “Taking care of media accreditations is challenging, and there will always be disappointed individuals,” Hearn said, understanding the difficulties in accommodating everyone.
Hearn asserted that the Saudi organizers were not involved in the accreditation process but would review all aspects of the fight preparation. “The level of operation from Riyadh Season is unprecedented,” Hearn noted. “When they see issues, they want to know how to fix them and improve for next time. Turki aims for every event to be flawless.” Brown reported receiving a text from a PR executive asking if he still wished to attend the fight after expressing his opinions. Brown confirmed his attendance but was later informed that his entry was denied despite receiving separate confirmation from Queensberry Promotions.
The Football Association, which owns Wembley Stadium’s operator, expressed disappointment and offered to assist in future disputes, though the final decision on accreditation always rests with the event promoter.
