RIYADH: The Saudi capital Riyadh on Friday night hosted the official weigh-in for the global boxing event taking place on Saturday at ANB Arena, as part of the major events of the Esports World Cup, headlined by the heavyweight showdown between young British contender Moses Itauma and veteran Dillian Whyte.

The event drew a large crowd of fans and media, as the fighters stepped onto the scale amid a charged atmosphere before facing off in an intense staredown. Both fighters successfully made weight, marking the final step before entering the ring.

Itauma enters the fight with a perfect record of 20 wins without defeat, 10 of which came by knockout, while Whyte holds 31 victories (21 by knockout) against three losses, returning to the ring after recovering from a hand injury.

Alongside the main event, the evening will feature high-profile global bouts, including a clash between Ireland’s Callum Walsh, ranked No.4 by the IBF and No.5 by the WBC with a 14-0 record (11 KOs), and American Fernando Vargas Jr., who has 17 wins without defeat (15 KOs).

In the super middleweight division, The Ring magazine’s No.1-ranked Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) will face Lester Martinez, ranked No.3 by the WBA and No.7 by the WBC, with a 19-0 record (16 KOs).

Representing Saudi Arabia in the event, Mohammed Alakel will compete in his first bout outside Riyadh after his recent victory over Alexander Morales, as he takes on American John Ornelas (5 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 2 KOs).

On the preliminary card, Japan’s Reito Tsutsumi (2-0, 1 KO) will meet Javier Martinez (10-1, 3 KOs), while Serhii Bohacuk faces Brandon Adams, Sultan Almohammed takes on Martin Caraballo, Steve Nelson meets an opponent yet to be determined, and Marco Verde will face an opponent also yet to be confirmed.

This evening is part of the Esports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24, with more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs competing for total prizes of $70 million, in an atmosphere combining digital entertainment with live combat sports.