The stage is set for a power-packed heavyweight boxing fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia tonight.
The fighters are set to earn massive prize money and fight purses, thanks to the head of Saudiโs General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Alalshikh, who is driving efforts to make Saudi the new home of boxing.
Though the exact figures have not been made public, Forbes reported that Joshua is set to bank a whopping $50 million [ยฃ39 million] from this fight, not including pay-per-view sales.
In contrast, Ngannou is reportedly set to receive $20 million [ยฃ15.6 million], which is twice the amount he received for his highly praised debut fight against Tyson Fury last October.
This is Ngannouโs second time boxing in the ring and he is sure to provide a stiff test for Joshua, who is fighting for the fourth time in under a year.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia in boxingโs biggest fights has given rise to Joshuaโs calibre of fighters benefitting from huge fight purses.
Though the focus will, of course, remain on the in-ring action, the money involved is a testament to the growing commercialization of boxing.