EDDIE HEARN has released a stunning time-lapse video showing the progress made at the stadium for Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr – just days after “it looked like car park”.
Just a week ago, the arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – where the fight on December 7 will be held – looked months away from completion.
Progress on the stadium in Riyadh has been incredible, showed by a recent videoCredit: Instagram
Workers have been putting in the hours this week in a bid to get the arena readyCredit: Instagram
The stadium is nearly ready with just two weeks to go until Joshua vs RuizCredit: Instagram
The grounds have gone from a ‘car park’ to an incredible arenaCredit: Instagram
But now, with only a fortnight to go, the stadium looks sensational as Joshua and Ruiz put the finishing touches to their training plans for their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
Promoter Hearn shared the long clip on his Instagram page, showing the stadium being built up from absolutely nothing.
Hearn accompanied the video with the caption: “You are only ever limited by your own imagination!
“Just over 2 weeks to go til the sporting World stands still! #RuizJoshua2”
Work on the arena only began last month – with fans still concerned at the lack of progress last week.
Taking to social media, one fan wrote: “It looks like Southend on Sea’s Victoria Circus car park.”
Another said: “Awful location, normally there’s a buzz in the weeks coming up to an AJ fight… no real hype or appeal this time sadly.”
GLADIATOR-STYLE
A third added: “Looks like a US college football outdoor bar area let alone a stadium deciding the heavyweight championship of the world.”
One simply stated: “Looks terrible.”
But now the work has really come along in just a matter of days – with the stadium set to be a sight to behold.
The “gladiator-style” arena is set to be formed of three sides, featuring 15,000 seats – with the fourth side left open and reserved for VIP guests, broadcast studios and the changing rooms.
And in the video released by Hearn on Thursday morning – thing appear to be coming along as planned.
Two of the three stands, with blue seats and red sides, look all-but finished – with the third well on the way.
And the time-lapse clips shows hoards of workers putting in the hard graft in a bid to ensure they don’t miss their deadline.
Builders have been hard at work getting the arena ready for the Saudi Arabia rematchCredit: Instagram
Fans are set for a real show in Saudi Arabia too, with Joshua vowing to silence doubters and beat Ruiz after his shock defeat to the Mexican in New York this June.
AJ claimed he “didn’t become a p***y overnight” – and has recently shown off a leaner physique, shedding pounds of muscle in a bid to become more agile for his fast-handed opponent.
But Ruiz himself has cut out the Snickers bars and gone on a pre-fight diet, shedding pounds of his own in a bid to prove his MSG win was no fluke.
The time-lapse video showed work was nearly done on the stadiumCredit: Instagram
Joshua vs Ruiz Jr will fight in a three-sided Gladiator-style arena in Saudi as first images of unique stadium reveal
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
