GEA Launches Riyadh Season With Artur Beterbiev Crowned Light Heavyweight Champion

On Saturday evening, Advisor Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), inaugurated Riyadh Season at the Kingdom Arena. He expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for their continuous support of the entertainment sector and Riyadh Season, which has gained international acclaim.

The opening night was a spectacular event featuring mesmerising performances, vibrant fireworks, and an impressive drone display. The Riyadh Season logo lit up the sky above Boulevard World, a major attraction in the city. This marked the beginning of the fifth edition of this globally anticipated season.

The highlight of the evening was Russian boxer Artur Beterbiev being crowned as the undisputed world light heavyweight champion. Beterbiev, who already held IBF, WBC, and WBO titles, defeated fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol in an IV Crown Showdown to secure the WBA belt. This victory solidified his status in the boxing world.

The IV Crown Showdown commenced with Serbian Marko Maric achieving a unanimous victory over Mexican Christian Lopez in the middleweight division after four rounds. Saudi boxer Mohammed Al-Aql also emerged victorious in his match against Colombian Jesus Gonzalez in the same weight class.

In another match, British boxers Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron ended their bout in a draw. Meanwhile, Australian Skye Nicolson retained her featherweight world boxing title by defeating British Raven Chapman through a unanimous decision.

In a thrilling IBO middleweight championship fight, British Chris Eubank Jr. knocked out Polish Kamil Szeremeta after dominating all seven rounds. These matches added excitement to an already electrifying evening.

The Riyadh Season continues to be a significant event that showcases Saudi Arabia's growing influence in global entertainment and sports. With its captivating events and international participation, it highlights the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing its cultural landscape.

With inputs from SPA