As part of the opening activities of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Season, His Excellency Counselor Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Al Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, crowned today in the Kingdom Arena the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, with the belt of the Riyadh Season, after defeating his rival, the mixed martial arts champion. Heavyweight Francis Angano.

The activities of the Riyadh Season 2023 were opened under the slogan “Big Time” in the presence of a number of members of diplomatic bodies in the Kingdom, artists and athletes, most notably the American rapper Eminem, the international and Brazilian football star Ronaldo, in addition to the star of the Portuguese national team and the Saudi Al-Nasr Club, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the political boxer. Filipino Manny Pacquiao, American boxer of the century Lennox Lewis, and international boxer Larry Holmes, who achieved the title of world heavyweight champion and maintained it for 7 years.

The season’s activities began with a speech by His Excellency Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh, where he said: “I extend my sincere thanks to my Lord, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, our inspiring leader and godfather of the vision, for their unlimited support for the entertainment sector in general, and the Riyadh season in particular,” adding: “ The fourth edition of the Riyadh Season is special and will fulfill your dreams and wishes, God willing. In conclusion, welcome to the Riyadh Season.”

The first moments of the concert witnessed the participation of rapper Flodan in a song with Skrillex, then the artist Lil Baby, in addition to the American singer Becky G, before the audience prepared for the start of the historic confrontation of the fiercest man on the face of the earth between Francis Agannou and his counterpart, Tyson Fury, for the belt of the Riyadh season. .

The fight between the two world champions went through ten rounds that witnessed an exchange of blows and punches, and Angannou was able to knock his opponent to the ground in the third round, but the victory on the total results of the rounds went to the British Tyson Fury.

After the fight, Francis Angano stated that he would return with more training and more experience, stressing that he now has full confidence in his abilities, as he spent three and a half months training, while the winner of the fight, Tyson Fury, confirmed that his opponent was strong and was able to prove his abilities and status in the sport of boxing.

The Riyadh Season belt, which was handed over by His Excellency Counselor Turki Al-Sheikh to the winner Fury, is distinguished by its handmade design bearing the logo of the 2023 Riyadh Season, and the green color of the Saudi flag, in addition to being the only one of its kind in the world, which was competed for in boxing and martial arts at the same time.

The Undercard fights, which were held hours before the opening ceremony and the main fight, witnessed strong competitions between a number of boxing stars, as Briton Fabio Wardley defeated his compatriot David Adeleye, and was able to retain the title that was coming from Britain for the first time, and New Zealander Joseph Parker also defeated Canadian Simon Kane. By knockout in the third round, Jack McGann maintained his unbeaten record by defeating Roberto Duran Jr. in the second round of their confrontation.

The Congolese Martin Bakoli was able to defeat his Cameroonian rival Carlos Takam, while the Englishman Musa Itauma also defeated the Hungarian Istvan Bernath in the first round between them, and he stressed that this is only the beginning, and that he is ready for any other fight, even if it is at the same moment.

Weeks ago, the Riyadh Season had released a promotional and proactive video for the launch of its activities and the fight of the fiercest man in the world. The video contained the song Pepper, in a global production in which a number of world stars in music and sports appeared. It also carried multiple scenes from diverse cultures, and messages related to the fight that was held today. In the capital, Riyadh.

Tonight, the season celebrated the launch of its fourth edition, and the start of its activities that attract visitors from all over the world to the Kingdom during the winter months of each year. To experience many concerts, exhibitions and other unique entertainment events in which a group of celebrities and prominent brands participate.