BOXING fans expressed their displeasure after the Saudi Arabia national anthem was played before the IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturday night.
Dubois dismantled former two-time world Champion Joshua in five rounds to retain his title.
But there was bewilderment among the 96,000 crowd after the fighters had completed their ring walks when the Saudi anthem was played.
The ‘Riyadh Season’ bout was orchestrated by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Authority who is now one of the most powerful figures in the sport.
Greenwich’s Dubois, 27, dominated Joshua, 34, knocking him down a number of times before finishing him with a right hook.
But what happened before the contest left a sour taste for many.