Riyadh Season is stepping up a gear when it comes to live performers.
Since entering the boxing sphere in 2018, Saudi Arabia has made a habit of booking big-name music artists for their shows.
Liam Gallagher will perform at the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois Wembley Stadium showCredit: X – Turki Alalshikh
Ahead of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s four-belt shootout in May, popular American rapper JID performed before the main event.
Meanwhile, Skrillex, Lil Baby, Becky G and Flowdan all featured in the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou opening ceremony in March.
But the Saudis are sinking their hands even deeper into their seemingly bottomless pockets to book Liam Gallagher and Eminem for their first two overseas events in London and Los Angeles respectively.
Former Oasis frontman Gallagher will open at Wembley Stadium for the all-British IBF heavyweight title fight between Joshua and Daniel Dubois on September 21.
Gallagher, who is currently on a UK tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Oasis’ debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’, will perform three classic songs from the English rock band’s discography on the night.
This comes after Eminem was announced as a special guest performer for Terence Crawford’s upcoming clash with Israil Madrimov at the BMO Stadium on August 3.
Eminem is a big fan of ‘Bud’s’ and walked him out for his last outing against Errol Spence in July 2023.
He didn’t spit any bars that night but will do before Crawford steps between the ropes again.
Eminem is a special guest performer for Crawford vs Madrimov
Crawford and Madrimov square off on August 3 in Los Angeles for the WBA super-welterweight titleCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
Joshua vs Dubois is set for September 21 for the IBF heavyweight titleCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Crawford is looking to become a four-weight world champion this summer by beating Madrimov for the Uzbek’s WBA super-welterweight belt.
The 36-year-old boxing icon has won world titles at lightweight, super lightweight and welterweight – achieving undisputed status in the latter two weight classes.
Frank Warren claims that Daniel Dubois is a harder puncher than Anthony Joshua ahead of their heavyweight clash
He is one of only three two-weight undisputed champions in the four-belt era alongside Claressa Shields and Naoya Inoue.
If he beats Madrimov then Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh is keen to make a blockbuster showdown with undisputed super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez in the not-so-distant future.
Despite operating two divisions below Canelo, Crawford has made it clear that he would take the fight in a ‘heartbeat’ if it was presented to him.