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Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua II: Fans’ view obstructed by pillars as rain pelts open air arena


Four pillars hold up the canopy above the ring (Picture: Getty)

Fight fans at Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr face having their view obstructed due to four large pillars around the ring.

Just over 2,000 British fans are expected in Saudi Arabia for Joshua’s bid at becoming a two-time heavyweight champion by reclaiming the three world titles he lost to Ruiz Jr last June.

The trip proved too costly for the majority of Joshua’s fans and there were also concerns about Saudi Arabia’s abyssal human rights record.

Pictures on social media circulated showing that those supporters who did splash out thousands of pounds could arrive to find their view completely obstructed.

Some fans might struggle to see Joshua in action against Ruiz Jr (Picture: Mirror)

Four thick pillars surround the ring, supporting the canopy that will try and protect Joshua and Ruiz Jr from the elements.

Rain has been pouring down on top of the 15,000-seater purpose-built arena in Diriyah, which was constructed in just two months for the heavyweight fight.

Dillian Whyte, fighting on the undercard, entered the ring with plastic bags around his shoes, in a bid to ensure he did not slip in the ring.

About 75 per cent of tickets have been sold for the fight and promoter Eddie Hearn has dismissed criticism about staging the fight in Saudi Arabia.

Amnesty international have repeatedly criticised Joshua and Matchroom’s role in Saudi Arabia’s ‘sport-washing’ tactics and called on the British fighter to educate himself about the issues in the Kingdom.

Fight organisers & AJ have been criticised for participating in Saudi Arabia’s sport-washing (Picture: AFP)

Saudi Arabia has won of the worst LGBT rights record in the world and executed 149 people last year, many of them publicly, ranking third in the world behind only China and Iran.

‘I just came here for the boxing opportunity. I feel like taking boxing global is what a world champion or challenger should be doing. You fight around the world,’ Joshua insisted when confronted with Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

‘I try and bring positivity and light where ever I go. I just feel I’ve got a fight to focus on – for the future maybe I can bear a different kind of flag, but at the minute it’s the world championship flag I’m trying to bear.’

MORE: Anthony Joshua could suffer serious injury against Andy Ruiz Jr, fears Chris Eubank

MORE: Frank Warren warns Anthony Joshua he cannot outbox Andy Ruiz Jr





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