People are only just realising why there are no ring girls for Joshua vs Usyk

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Anthony Joshua's heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk on August 20 will not feature any ring girls with the fight set to take place in Saudi Arabia.

The Brit is looking to reclaim his WBA, WBO and IBF belts after a shock loss to the 35-year-old at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021. It was only Usyk's third fight at heavyweight level having made the jump from cruiserweight, beating Derek Chisora and Chazz Witherspoon on his way to glory.

While a rematch was drawn up almost instantly, fans figured out there would be another shock to the tale with Jeddah set to host this mega bout. Boxing fights around the world have nearly always had scantily-clad ring girls in attendance, who parade around the ring what round it is.

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However, due to strict laws surrounding females and what they can wear in Saudi Arabia, the ring girls will be absent this weekend at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The decision was made as soon as the heavyweight clash was announced in the Muslim country to avoid controversy.

There are firm rules in place in Saudi Arabia over what a woman can and cannot wear in public. While Saudi women are expected to wear black, long gowns in public, foreigners are exempt from this rule.

However, women must dress modestly and cover up their knees and shoulders at all times when out and about. That would mean that the ring girls, who usually leave little to the imagination, would cause an outrage in the country.

But Saudi Arabia will make history this weekend when they host their first-ever female fight. British Somali boxer Ramla Ali will take on Crystal Garcia Nova on the AJ vs Usyk undercard.

“I hope when people look back at me, they see a person who had everything against them in life, but through perseverance and a refusal to quit still managed to have nearly all the same opportunities in life, and achieved at the highest level,” Ali said.

“This fight will be without a doubt one of the high points in my boxing career. To have been part of helping shape the culture towards creating greater equality in the region is more important than my own personal successes or feelings.”

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  • Anthony Joshua
  • Oleksandr Usyk
  • Saudi Arabia

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