Saudi Showdown: Ronaldo, Fury pose for pictures with Joshua

Saudi Showdown: Ronaldo, Fury pose for pictures with Joshua

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday before the latter’s heavyweight fight with Francis Ngannou on Friday.

The Britons have rarely crossed paths despite their long-running rivalry.

Fury took aim at Ngannou for suggesting he won their fight in October, but did not directly speak to Joshua.

“Tyson was on golden form going round interrogating everybody, he had a few words with Francis Ngannou,” promoter Eddie Hearn told BBC Sport.

Joshua, Fury and Ngannou took a picture together, alongside footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh.

“They didn’t say too much. There’s definitely a kind of ‘that’s him over there’ kind of mentality,” Hearn said of the interaction between Joshua and Fury.

“I think they know it’s only a matter of time until they meet [in the ring].”

Alalshikh, as he has done for previous fight nights in Saudi, hosted all the boxers, including Joseph Parker and Justis Huni who are on the undercard, as well as promoters Hearn and Frank Warren.

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With the riches of the Saudi kingdom behind him, Alalshikh has been credited with changing the landscape of boxing.

He has resolved conflicts and rivalries between fighters and promoters, including Hearn and Warren, and there is increased hope Fury and Joshua could finally happen.