Eddie Hearn hits back at critics of Joshua vs Usyk 2 taking place in Saudi Arabia amid Liv Golf row

EDDIE HEARN has defended Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk taking place in Saudi Arabia and snapped “boxing is not golf”.

AJ will head to the Middle East to try and win back his world heavyweight titles after being stunned by Usyk at Tottenham last year.

Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr in Diriyah three years ago to avenge his defeat in New York.

And he’ll head to Saudi Arabia again in August despite the backlash against the nation this week over Liv Golf.

Hearn appeared on talkSPORT, and he explained: “Boxing, quite frankly, is not golf.

“You’re dealing with people who are putting themselves on the line, putting their health on the line.

“It’s also, by the way, a 50/50 split, so we have absolutely no choice.

“We would have loved to have done this fight in London at Tottenham, because it gives a fighter home advantage.

“But, guess what? Usyk’s team was not really prepared to go to London when there was four or five times the amount of money to go elsewhere.

“This is a very interesting debate. I’ve seen all the stuff going on with the PGA Tour. I repeat: This is not a game of golf.

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“I have a responsibility to make sure these fighters come out of this sport with enough financial security to secure the next generation.”

The Saudi-backed $2bn Liv Golf series kicked off in London this week and rocked the sport to it’s core.

Players who’ve signed up have been banned by the PGA Tour and faced tough questions over accepting huge sums from the Saudi government.

Bryson DeChambeau will join Liv Golf for the second event in Portland later this month.

Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson are the biggest names already competing in the rebel series.

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk