The Saudi capital, Riyadh, specifically at the Global Theater in the Boulevard City area, launched the activities of the highly anticipated fight week "Ring V: Night of the Samurai" as part of the Riyadh Season 2025 events agenda. This event confirms the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for combat sports, as the opening witnessed a huge celebration with the arrival of an elite group of the brightest international boxing stars in preparation for the historic evening.
Arrival of the heroes and the red carpet
The Grand Arrivals event witnessed the arrival of a constellation of boxers who have etched their names in gold in the world of the noble art. The stars of the fight walked the red carpet, led by the Japanese legend Naoya Inui and the Mexican Alan Picasso, alongside Rito Tsutsumi, Leopardo Quintana, Taiga Iemanaga, Kenshiro Teraji, and Junto Nakatani. These champions received a rapturous welcome from the public and extensive international media coverage, reflecting the immense popularity of this event.
Riyadh, the capital of world boxing
This event is not just a fleeting bout; it comes within the context of a strategic shift that has made Riyadh a new capital for world boxing. After hosting historic heavyweight fights such as "The Ferocious Man on Earth" and "Ring of Fire," Riyadh Season is now focusing on the fast-paced and highly skilled lightweight and middleweight divisions, attracting a new and wider audience, particularly from the Asian and Japanese markets. This enhances the Kingdom's soft power in sports and its international influence.
Top showdown: Inoue vs. Picasso
All eyes will be on the Mohammed Abdo Arena by Emirates NBD next Saturday for the main event featuring Japan's "Beast" Naoya Inoue, holder of the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO super bantam titles, against the formidable Mexican challenger Alan Picasso. Inoue is considered one of the world's best boxers (pound for pound), and his title defense in Riyadh marks a historic first, underscoring the Kingdom's ability to attract major sporting events outside of the United States and Japan.
Match schedule and accompanying events
The "Samurai Night" card includes other fiery encounters, most notably:
- Superfly weight class: International Boxing Federation (IBF) title fight between Mexican Willibald Garcia and Japanese Kenshiro Teraji (12 rounds).
- Bantamweight: A WBC belt fight between Japanese world champion Junto Nakatani and Mexican Sebastian Hernandez.
- Promising matchups: These include Rito Tsutsumi vs. Leopardo Quintana, and Taiga Imanaga vs. Iridson Garcia.
His Excellency Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, had previously emphasized the global momentum of the event, especially following the successful press conference in Tokyo. The activities continue tomorrow, Wednesday, with open practice sessions for the public, giving fans a rare opportunity to witness the champions' preparations up close.
Global broadcasting and economic impact
The event will be broadcast globally via DAZN and exclusively in Japan via Lemino, ensuring it reaches millions of viewers. This event contributes to boosting sports tourism and supporting the local economy, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on the entertainment and sports sectors as pillars for economic diversification and improving quality of life.
