Joe Hughes
The Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois fight announced this week signalled the continuation of Saudi Arabia's ambitions and Turki Alarcik's apparent bid to take over boxing promotion globally.
The latest part of the “Riyadh Season” will follow the headline fight between Terence Crawford and Israel Madrimov, who will make his US debut.
This is another example of rival promoters willing to work together, thanks to Saudi influence and money. Joshua is affiliated with Matchroom and Dubois with Queensberry. The event also features several boxer-promoted fighters. Both the US and UK events have stacked cards from top to bottom, continuing the trend of some really good fights throughout the show.
This week Paddy John's ABC, the amateur boxing club where I coach, decided to rejoin the Amateur Boxing Federation. We have been part of the federation since its inception, but last year our boxers voted to join England Boxing.
“We have been trying to register for various reasons for the past six months but have been unsuccessful and our boxers have not been able to compete since December. It has been a very frustrating time for the club but we look forward to getting our boxers competing again.”
Joe Hughes (Getty Images)
This Saturday I will be taking part in the Herpes Palsy Group Fun Day, an event where many people with Herpes Palsy, especially children and their families, can come together and socialise with people in the same situation.
I'm going to bring belts, pads, gloves and let the kids try boxing and see if they enjoy it. Boxing was really good physical therapy for my injured arm. Without boxing I would be in a lot worse shape than I am now. I think boxing is a great sport to start for someone with an injury like me. It really helps. Not just physically but in every other way. Who knows, maybe I'll meet the next Joe Hughes and inspire him.
