EDDIE HEARN has revealed Anthony Joshua’s December 7 rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr could be moved if the terror threat in Saudi Arabia is raised. On September 14 eighteen drones and seven cruise missiles hit oil processing facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia, 118m from the Diriyah site the purpose-built stadium will be erected on. The […]
EDDIE HEARN has revealed Anthony Joshua’s December 7 rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr could be moved if the terror threat in Saudi Arabia is raised.
On September 14 eighteen drones and seven cruise missiles hit oil processing facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia, 118m from the Diriyah site the purpose-built stadium will be erected on.
The Foreign Office is yet to change its advice for Brits interested in travelling to the area but, if tensions with Iran or Yemen intensify, that could change.
Hearn has received assurances from the Saudi Royal Family and the kingdom’s General Sport Authority that there will be no problems, but the Matchroom boss could formulate a back-up plan in the worst-case scenario.
Hearn said: “We did contact them and ask if everything’s OK, and they said it was. As far as we’re concerned it’s all systems go. The area that was hit was a long way from Diriyah.
“The Foreign Office advice for the country is to travel with caution, it’s the same category as Mexico, so there’s no advice not to travel.
“We can change the venue if something major happens. We had Errol Spence v Kell Brook in Sheffield in May 2017, four days after the Manchester bombings, and it looked like we’d have to cancel.
“Instead we had to spend significant money on policing and anti-terror squads. The venue change could be done but it’s not even part of the mindset.”
Hearn has received pelters for taking AJ’s bout to the controversial region over it’s woeful human rights record and the rising tensions with two neighbouring countries has added to that pressure.
But, speaking at a media event to promote Billy Joe Saunders’ spot on the KSI vs Logan Paul undercard, he said: “It doesn’t affect the dynamics of the event, as long as everyone’s safe and happy.
