London’s iconic Wembley Stadium will play host to a huge night of boxing as Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season comes to the English capita on Saturday, September 21.
The event, which was confirmed by Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, will see a heavyweight championship clash in the main event, as newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois faces former two-time unified heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua.
The news was announced via a press release, with Alalshikh saying, via a statement: “We are pleased to bring two of the world’s current best heavyweight fighters together in their home city of London and at Wembley Stadium, a historic venue for boxing.
“We know it will be another exciting contest, complemented by a great undercard of fights, and we look forward to giving British fans and visitors to London the opportunity to experience a Riyadh Season event just a matter of weeks before we officially launch the 2024 Season in Riyadh in October.”
The headline attraction is one of six all-British fights confirmed to take place at the iconic Wembley Stadium, which will feature a special guest music act which will be announced in due course.
Among the matchups, two-time world featherweight champion Josh Warrington returns to world title action by going up against the current super featherweight world champion Anthony Cacace. Hamzah Sheeraz, who recently secured a knockout victory against Austin “Ammo” Williams during the hugely successful 5 vs 5 fight night in Riyadh, will take on European middleweight champion Tyler Denny.
Former British Olympian Josh Kelly will face former WBO super welterweight champion Liam Smith while the undefeated 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, and British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi will go into battle for the WBO interim world championship by taking on Willy Hutchinson, who impressed at Kingdom Arena after claiming an impressive points victory over Craig Richards on the 5 vs 5 card. WBA intercontinental champion Mark Chamberlain is also set to feature on the card against undefeated fellow British lightweight Josh Padley.
Chairman of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, said: “Riyadh Season lands in London with the most spectacular and gripping event ever to be witnessed in this country.
“On September 21, British fight fans and fans tuning in across the world will be treated to a British version of the quality of shows that are now a hallmark of Riyadh, headlined by what promises to be a breathtaking clash of the big hitters between the new IBF interim world champion Daniel Dubois and the former unified champion Anthony Joshua.
“The undercard is simply unprecedented, with Willy Hutchinson being rewarded for his magnificent display on the 5 vs 5 with a shot at the WBO Interim light heavyweight title against fellow British contender Joshua Buatsi in what is a huge opportunity for both fighters.
“Hamzah Sheeraz going up against European title holder Tyler Denny, following Hamzah’s exploits in Riyadh last time out, is another fight I can’t wait to watch. Anthony Cacace defending his super featherweight world titles against former featherweight world champion Josh Warrington promises to be all-out warfare. Liam Smith taking on Josh Kelly will be a classic confrontation at super welterweight and a clash between the old guard and the new.”
Chairman of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, said: “AJ is back at the National Stadium on what will be a blockbuster event. Riyadh Season comes to London and we are confident this will be a historic night full of opportunity for the fighters and drama for fans around the world.”
Riyadh Season Card – Wembley Edition: Confirmed fights
- Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois (c) – for IBF heavyweight title
- Tyler Denny vs. Hamzah Sheeraz
- Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington
- Liam Smith vs. Josh Kelly
- Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson
- Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley
