Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium

1 / 2
Anthony Joshua will take on Daniel Dubois, as Riyadh Season comes to London, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21. (Supplied)
2 / 2
Anthony Joshua will take on Daniel Dubois, as Riyadh Season comes to London, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 27 June 2024
Follow

Joshua V Dubois tops Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium

  • Former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on IBF interim heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in what is expected to be an intriguing contest
  • Frank Warren: ‘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’

LONDON: Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh has confirmed that Joshua V Dubois will top the Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21.

As Riyadh Season comes to London, former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on IBF interim heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in what is expected to be an intriguing contest.

Alalshikh said: “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 that has yet to be announced.

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 Williams during the hugely successful 5 v 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 medalist 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 v 5 card.

WBA Intercontinental champion Mark Chamberlain is also set to feature on the card against undefeated fellow British lightweight Josh Padley.

Frank Warren, Chairman of Queensberry Promotions, 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 v 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.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Boxing, 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.”

This London fight night represents the second Riyadh Season Card to be staged outside of Saudi Arabia, with the first taking place overseas in Los Angeles on August 3 as Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov compete for the WBA and WBO Interim World Super Welterweight title.

Tickets go on general sale at noon on Friday 28 June from TicketMaster.co.uk


Learning every day: Kuwait players reflect on DP World ILT20 season 4

Updated 14 January 2026
Follow

Learning every day: Kuwait players reflect on DP World ILT20 season 4

  • ‘To play alongside players like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Jonny Bairstow is a very big moment for me,’ says Mohammed Shafeeq of MI Emirates

DUBAI: Season four of the DP World ILT20 marked a significant step in the league’s regional development efforts, with players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia earning selection at the first ever auction and featuring across all six franchises.

Each team acquired at least one player from the two countries, offering emerging cricketers the opportunity to train and compete alongside some of the world’s leading players.

The DP World ILT20 season four ended on Jan. 4, with the Desert Vipers overcoming the MI Emirates to secure their first title.

Speaking over the course of the tournament, the Kuwait players reflected on their experiences and the opportunity to work alongside established international cricketers.

Captain of the Kuwait cricket team, Mohamed Aslam, said: “It’s a great opportunity for me to represent Sharjah Warriorz in the DP World ILT20, and we are getting a lot of experience in the dressing room.

He said he was sharing the dressing room with “leaders like Tim Southee and Sikandar Raza. I have gotten a lot of information from them and learned many things by asking questions.

“As an associate cricket player, this is a very good opportunity. I hope to apply all of this in Kuwait and do our best.”

Mohammed Shafeeq became the first player from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia to feature in a DP World ILT20 fixture when he played for the MI Emirates against the Dubai Capitals.

“The support from the coaching staff has been amazing because this is a completely different feeling for us. It will help us in the future, as the coaches are always watching us and giving technical inputs.”

“It is a very big moment for me to be part of this team and to play alongside players like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Jonny Bairstow,” he added.

“All of them are top players and operate at different levels. They consider us for every match, and that means a lot to me.”

The Dubai Capitals’ Anudeep Chenthamara said: “I would like to thank the Kuwait Cricket Board and DP World ILT20 for giving me this opportunity, it is a big one for me and the whole team.

“There has been a lot of experience and learning over here. We have worked with experienced players and coaches; I have been able to work on many things from the basics to the higher level. For example, I have changed the base of my run-up.”

Echoing these sentiments, the Gulf Giants’ Meet Bhavsar, who has played 73 T20Is for Kuwait, said: “It’s been a great experience to share the dressing room with the superstars of modern-day cricket.

“Facing somebody like Tabraiz Shamsi in the nets has been really challenging and helped me immensely. I will try to share as much as I can with the rest of the Kuwait team, and I am grateful for the chance to be here.”

Representing the Desert Vipers, Bilal Tahir said: “We are learning a lot every day. We have very good coaches, a great environment, and the style of teaching really helps us improve.

“Playing with these stars is a dream for us because they are legends, and we learn so much from them. Just the other day in the nets, Fakhar Zaman told me how to improve certain things. I am very thankful to the Desert Vipers for giving us this opportunity.”

Adnan Idrees, whose services were secured by the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, added: “It’s a great experience and I’m really enjoying my time here.

“Learning from legends is always a blessing, and sharing the dressing room with players like Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone makes me feel my game will improve a lot.

“I keep getting tips from them about staying focused on my game, and I’ve learned a lot already. They are gems as people and as cricketers, and it’s a joy to share the dressing room with them.

“I feel blessed to be part of the DP World ILT20 and hope more players get the chance to come here.”