Could Saudi Arabia Become The New Mecca Of Boxing?

[FlatLine]

Just in the last 12 months or so we've seen Badou Jack, MTK Global, The World Boxing Super Series Final feat George Groves vs Callum Smith, and polarizing global superstar, 2 time world champ Amir Khan host boxing shows in Saudi Arabia and now it's looking likely that 3 of the highest paid stars in the sport Mayweather, Pacquiao and Joshua are set to hold events there too.

If this trend continues over the next year and then settles in over subsequent years could it so transpire that Saudi Arabia will one day be considered the new Mecca of Boxing where the highest paid, and usually most talented, boxers compete on a routine basis to fight for some of the greatest riches in the sport?

[True That]

Lol, let's hope not.

[Eff Pandas]

The mecca of boxing in a place you get 360 lashes for drinking a Corona? I would bet against that all day.

[boliodogs]

No. That will never happen. Khan is not a global superstar. I know you love him but come on now. Beating up washed up featherweight Dibs is not a superfight. Not a single word about Mayweather or Pacquiao holding any events there on boxing scene top headlines. Vegas is the biggest boxing city and that won't change.

[Aztekkas]

Highly doubt it. The extreme laws and social shock foreigners would encounter will supersede the events in my opinion.

Drinking, ********, self indulgence and sin is what made Vegas a top player in the sport. The blood and guts in the ring was just the icing on the cake.

It might be beneficial to the fighter's and promoter's pockets... but I'm confident in stating that the fans wouldn't be as pleased. Plus, the hour differences between countries would also affect viewership.

They tried it in Macau just a few years ago and we can all see how far that went. If anything I see it as a fad.

[QueensburyRules]

Vegas is the biggest boxing city and that won't change.

- -Macao coming on strong and now Dubai and SA.

Don't have to change your gender to see the obvious.

[01samuelc]

Oh hey lads let's go to saudi arabia for the big fight. Except we can't drink, go to a club/strip club or gamble afterwards....sign me up

Most people don't even have favourable views on dubai which is relatively more ******* than saudi

[Golden Boi 360]

No. I remember when Pac fought in Macau and people though that could be the new Mecca.

[Richard G]

Nice play on words, "Mecca". Anyway no, money will buy the fights but without spectators it's all going to get a bit flat. Unless somehow they can sell the TV rights cheap for free to air, that could get some world attention.

Whatdowewant? Free to air boxing.

[otrocubiche]

boxing, drinking and partying with the ladies go together, so NO