MDLBEAST has today announced a further string of superstar DJs set to perform at this year’s SOUNDSTORM festival, December 1-3, in Riyadh.
Bringing the best of music and entertainment to the Kingdom, bestselling artists Chet Faker, FKJ, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Michael Kiwanuka, Tiësto and Steve Aoki will join an already packed line-up as the 2022 edition of the Banban-based festival expands to include more cross-over genres than ever before.
Also heading to the Riyadh outskirts will be mega acts Eric Prydz, Hot Since 82 and Ricardo Villalobos, who will be performing alongside returning DJs Jamie Jones, Zedd, Hardwell and Steve Aoki.
Fans can expect more local names expected to be announced ahead of the third annual SOUNDSTORM.
For more information on the full lineup and tickets, please visit: mdlbeast.com.
MDLBEAST has just announced their headline acts set to perform at the SOUNDSTORM 2022 music festival taking place in Banban, Riyadh over the weekend of December 1-3.
The first superstar lineup features Bruno Mars, DJ Khaled and Post Malone
The loudest music festival in the region, SOUNDSTORM, is confirmed to take place December 1-3 this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
MDLBEAST has just announced their headline acts set to perform at the SOUNDSTORM 2022 music festival taking place in Banban, Riyadh over the weekend of December 1-3.
This year’s SOUNDSTORM is the third edition of MDLBEAST’s flagship event and is anticipated to bring some of the biggest artists to Riyadh. Drawing in talents from near and far, SOUNDSTORM is the largest music festival to take place in the Middle East, and for some of the artists involved, it will be their first time ever performing in the Kingdom.
Delivering best in-class entertainment, this year’s lineup will be expanding even further to include cross-over genres, which will come to life through performances from some of the world’s bestselling artists including Bruno Mars, DJ Khaled, Marshmello and Post Malone.
Over the three-day event, a wide array of international names like Wizkid and Solomun will be performing along with returning DJs such as Carl Cox, DJ Snake and David Guetta. Saudi women DJs such as Biirdperson, DJ Cosmicat, Dorar, Kayan, and Solskin alongside their peers DishDash, Vinylmode and regional star DJ Aseel. More names are expected to be announced soon.
Talal Albahiti, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Talent Booking at MDLBEAST, said: “Saudi Arabia’s music scene has been thriving for the past two decades behind closed doors. With every edition of SOUNDSTORM, we further blow these doors wide open. It’s incredibly special to see music lovers enjoy this new reality, in a safe space with the highest standards of music entertainment.
“Talent is at the heart of everything we do at MDLBEAST. As well as bringing superstar global headliners to the Kingdom, it is also essential to us that we center our efforts on showcasing unseen talent from across the region.
“Feedback from the artists has been great so far. The buzz is real and is driving us to put on an even bigger and better show in 2022 for the whole world to come and enjoy.”
Organizers of the festival revealed that this year’s festival experience has almost doubled in size with more enhanced food & beverage offerings, open seating spaces to relax and parking on site for all General Admission ticket holders.
Also newly introduced this year, Premium and VIB ticket holders will now enjoy the festival on a connected network of elevated platforms and exclusive viewing areas at stages, on-site parking, and dedicated access at the exclusive VIB entrance. VIB Box guests enjoy the same benefits with the enhancement of private VIB Box valet and entry to their suites.
Last year’s SOUNDSTORM welcomed more than 730K attendees, with 89% expressing that the music festival was “an iconic and culture defining moment”, according to an independent study conducted last year analyzing MDLBEAST’s impact in Saudi Arabia.
SOUNDSTORM tickets were released on September 22nd in four tiers: General Admission, Premium, VIB, and VIB Box. The first batch of tickets dropped were specially discounted in celebration of Saudi National Day, making this batch the lowest-priced tickets of all the batches to come.
Coca-Cola’s official FIFA World Cup™ campaign anthem is a stunning collaboration between three female artists for a new generation available on Coke Studio™.
For the first time, the global soundtrack features an up-and-coming talent from Saudi Arabia.
To celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2022™, Coca-Cola and Universal Music Group (UMG) today unveiled a new reimagining of Queen’s classic song ‘A Kind of Magic’ featuring an incredible performance by Saudi Arabia’s up-and-coming breakthrough talent, Tamtam.
Available on Coke Studio™, the anthem – released as part of Coca-Cola’s Believing is Magic campaign – is a powerful rework of the 1986 hit, a charismatic collaboration between Egyptian neo-soul and rap sensation, Felukah, soulful Saudi Arabian singer-songwriter, Tamtam, and Mexican Latin GRAMMY Award nominee, Danna Paola.
A Kind of Magic (Coke Studio Mix for the FIFA World Cup 2022™) will be accompanied by a vibrant and dynamic performance video that brings the energy and ideology of the track to life. Filmed in Mexico City, the video encapsulates the excitement for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, fusing a flavor of Latin and Arabic culture with the impassioned world of the FIFA World Cup™.
Commenting on A Kind of Magic (Coke Studio Mix for the FIFA World Cup 2022™), Claudia Navarro, VP of Marketing, Eurasia & Middle East, The Coca-Cola Company said: “The partnership with Tamtam is amazing in so many ways. It is a perfect example of what Coca-Cola is about: an incredibly global brand with a true local flavor: we’re so proud to take a Saudi homegrown talent like Tamtam to one of the biggest global stages. Tamtam is also an inspiration for young ladies around the world to believe that Real Magic can happen when you follow your dreams.”
Tamtam added: “I was so excited to be a part of this campaign with Coca-Cola and two super cool, inspiring women. It’s beautiful that we’re all from different countries singing together and representing this unity through music. The experience was magical, no pun intended; from recording the music, to meeting the team, and flying to Mexico City to shoot the videos. It was a dream and I’m thrilled to share it with the world! I look forward to performing in Riyadh and Qatar leading up to and during the FIFA World Cup 2022 and I’m excited to see the rise of more talent from Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
A Saudi singer and songwriter based between Los Angeles and Riyadh, Tamtam’s incredible, modern sound can’t be easily put into a single category owing to her vibrant mix of alternative R&B and pop influences.
A Kind of Magic (Coke Studio Mix for the FIFA World Cup 2022™) and the accompanying music video will launch worldwide on October 21st ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which kicks off in Qatar on 20th November. The track will be available on all digital streaming platforms and the video will be accessible via Coke Studio™.
In addition to this musical track, Coca-Cola is bringing their Believing is Magic campaign to life through various elements in Saudi Arabia, including its packaging, consumer activations plus a very special Saudi digital Twitter: @cocacola_ksa campaign giving thousands of fans the one-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to watch the games in person. In addition, Coca-Cola will bring the Original FIFA World Cup Trophy to the Kingdom in November where thousands of fans will have the opportunity to get up close with football’s most prized Trophy.
Tournament hosts charity walk around Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to support PINK LEMON movement and welcomes pop superstar and cancer survivor Elissa for inspirational appearance.
In partnership with ROSHN, LIV Golf donates to KAYL Association for Combating Obesity and hosts golf clinic for local youths
Today, at the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah presented by ROSHN, LIV Golf announced support for the Zahra Association, a charitable organization dedicated to empowering people affected by breast cancer and striving for a cancer-free society.
Players donned pink ribbons in honor of the fight against breast cancer while special events took place throughout the course at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, site of LIV Golf’s Middle East debut. In coordination with the PINK LEMON movement for October’s breast cancer awareness month, nearly 500 cancer survivors participated in a 1.5 km walk on Friday from the clubhouse to the stunning 16th hole overlooking the Red Sea and also formed a human pink ribbon on the driving range, recreating the symbol that expresses awareness and support around breast cancer.
World-famous singer Elissa, a cancer survivor, made a special appearance on Saturday to welcome the crowds of supporters attending the cancer awareness event, carried out in conjunction with LIPS Management. Following the conclusion of the second round, the pop superstar participated in a meet-and-greet and Q&A session at the course with famous TV presenter Nathalie Mamo to highlight the important work being done to combat the disease.
“You need to test as regularly as you can, even if you are feeling healthy, because knowing early can help in the treatment,”Elissa shared with the audience. “To every woman out there, if you love your children and love your family, please get yourself tested early.”
“LIV Golf is proud to join together with the Zahra Association, its PINK LEMON movement, and local community members to support a cause that affects all of us,” said Atul Khosla, President and COO of LIV Golf. “Through ‘LIV to Give,’ our efforts are raising awareness and financial support to fight breast cancer, encouraging healthy lifestyles with partners like ROSHN, and supporting youth development through golf – all actions to make a positive impact on local children and families.”
Throughout the week, LIV Golf’s donations and charitable work spanned a variety of initiatives that make a difference in local communities. In collaboration with ROSHN, the tournament’s presenting partner, LIV to Give supported the KAYL Association for Combating Obesity through ROSHN’s social responsibility program, YUHYEEK. Players Bryson DeChambeau, Anirban Lahiri and Marc Leishman participated in the LIV to Give chipping challenge, set up by the 16th hole at the course, with proceeds benefitting the charity. The support aligns with ROSHN’s core value of promoting a healthy lifestyle by generating awareness and combating the increased obesity rates in the Kingdom.
In lead-up to the tournament on Wednesday, LIV Golf also hosted a special golf clinic for schoolchildren from KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), introducing the fundamentals of the game to local youth. The clinic aligned with LIV To Give’s focus on uplifting the next generation of leaders through the sport.
All initiatives were part of LIV to Give, LIV Golf’s impact platform announced in June with a $100 million commitment to support a broad range of initiatives targeting education, sustainability, golf development and programs that enhance the wellbeing of communities around the world.
The LIV Golf Invitational Series is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission is centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.
Dustin Johnson, Harold Varner III, and Graeme McDowell All Have Forms on the Famed Saudi Course.
With 48 of the world’s best golfers set to battle it out at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah presented by Roshn this weekend, three former Saudi champions are aiming to recreate past glory at the famed Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
Dustin Johnson, the newly minted 2022 LIV Golf Individual Champion, won the Saudi International on the same course in 2019 and 2021, while Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell claimed victory in 2020, and American star Harold Varner III secured the 2022 title in February this year with a thrilling eagle putt on 18.
All three are part of the field as LIV Golf makes its Middle East debut in King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah from October 14-16.
McDowell, a member of the Cleeks GC team, said: “It’s a really good golf course. The way the wind blows here, you have to hit a lot of different shots. It asks all the questions. You have to put it in the fairway to hit key shots. To me, it is a big iron play golf course. You have to control your ball well, and it can really play difficult. I think this wind that blows out of the west, which is left-to-right on 16, is pretty much the prevailing wind here. I think all of us have seen that wind and obviously played well in that wind direction. I’m looking forward to trying that on the weekend here.”
Johnson, captain of the 4Aces team which leads the standings in the team tournament after four wins in six already this season, added: “Just like Graeme said, I like the way the wind picks up every afternoon. You must hit quality iron shots and you have to drive it well, too. The fairways are pretty narrow, and if you hit it in the rough, it’s really hard to control the golf ball.”
Niblicks GC star Varner added: “It is pretty simple: We like to win. The golf course is great but at the end of the day, you play to win tournaments. You still have to play well for your team to do well. So it’s a lot of fun. All 48 of us, we just want to compete, and the team aspect just makes it more fun.”
Tickets for the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah are available now. The general admission price for a single-day grounds pass is SR95, a three-day pass costs SR226, and individuals under 16 can attend for free. Single-day and three-day hospitality packages for the popular Club 54 and Gallery Club experiences are also available at LIVGolf.comor liv.halayalla.com
The Two Premieres Join the Previously Announced Global Disney+ Day Lineup featuring New Movies and Series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Star, and More!
In celebration of Disney+ Day, the electrifying concert film from 21st century pop icons, “BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA” and a special sneak peek at the upcoming Disney+ Original series from Lucasfilm, “Andor,” are now streaming on Disney+ in Saudi Arabia, and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
“BTS: PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA” showcases the live performance of the BTS concert held at the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium in late 2021 (Nov 27-28 & December 1-2). The concert film is stage-focused and includes performances of the GRAMMY®-nominated, music group’s hit songs “Dynamite”, “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.” BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a South Korean boy band that have been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013.
BTS features RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. The film is produced by HYBE, a Den of Thieves production, in association with Borderless Films.
Launching September 21 with a three-episode premiere, “Andor” explores a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller and Fiona Shaw. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan. Tony Gilroy is also the creator and showrunner.
The Disney+ Day content lineup features exciting global premieres from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Star, and more. As previously announced, “Pinocchio,” a new episode of “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” “Cars on the Road,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return,” “Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory,” “Tierra Incógnita,” “Wedding Season,” “Mike,” and “Welcome to the Club,” a new short from The Simpsons, are all now streaming on Disney+.
Speakers from around the globe: Amy Thomson, Mathew Knowles, Elyanna, Lil Eazy, and Hardwell denoting XP’s pillars.
Music professionals and fans can get their tickets here: mdlbeast.com.
“I’m very excited to be hosting my first-ever discussion at this year’s XP Music Futures. I want to share my journey in crossing-over Arabic music to a bigger, international stage, in hopes to strengthen the connection artists have to their Arabic identity” – Elyanna
MDLBEAST’s XP Music Futures unveils its first speaker lineup with headliners from around the world set to bring incredible conversations to Riyadh for this year’s music conference, taking place 28-30 November.
The one-of-a-kind industry event is confirmed to welcome five keynote speakers representing diverse backgrounds including musical talent, music executives, record labels, and music businesses. All sessions will fall under XP’s four main building blocks considered vital for the development of the Middle East’s music culture and economy: Talent, Impact, Scene, and Innovation.
Nada Alhelabi, Director of XP Music Conference, commented: “We are thrilled to be able to bring the greatest minds from the international music industry together, in the heart of the Kingdom, to connect with XP Music Future’s community.
For a second year running, we will discuss and gain mission-critical insight into the opportunities and challenges of accelerating the regional creative music scene we have today.
Insights from last year told us attendees enjoyed XP’s programming and speaker selection the most. This year we aim to build on our previous success, giving our attendees a line-up of visionary speakers reflective of the advances and changes our industry is seeing today.”
Embracing her Palestinian roots by incorporating Arabic into her music, singer, songwriter, and performer of Palestinian-Chilean descent, Elyanna is one of the eclectic artists set to light up XP Music Futures this year.
In a session called ‘Pro Xperience’, Elyanna will speak candidly about her professional journey engaging with the audience in a more intimate manner. Ahead of the session, Elyanna said: “I’m very excited to be hosting my first-ever discussion at this year’s XP Music Futures. I want to share my journey in crossing-over Arabic music to a bigger, international stage, in hopes to strengthen the connection artists have to their Arabic identity”.
New to this year’s programming, the session will be in the format of a one-on-one conversation in Arabic, reinforcing authenticity and an unfiltered knowledge exchange discussion between speaker and audience.
With a magnitude of invaluable experience in the music industry, the architect of Destiny’s Child and his daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles’ early solo careers, Mathew Knowles will be welcomed to this year’s conference for a motivational keynote session.
Titled ‘Reinvention & Relevance: Building Longevity in Your Career with Mathew Knowles’, Mathew will be offering tips to Saudi and regional talent on how to breathe life into their music and entertainment career, and ensure a strong foundation is built for long-term success.
Globally recognized former manager of the Swedish House Mafia, Amy Thomson will be joining the speaker lineup this year at XP Music Futures. Regarded as one of the most forward-thinking and trustworthy characters in the business, Amy has fought tooth and nail for the representation of musicians and creators at Hipgnosis, the largest independent song fund in the world. Amy will be hosting a session titled ‘Fair Pay & Fair Play: Understanding Music Royalties’, in which she aims to educate up-and-coming musicians about their rights regarding streaming royalties.
Creating music for over a decade, Lil Eazy, a Jeddah-based rapper, and hip-hop musician have gained popularity across the region for his unique style, cutting through a dense market of Saudi-based rappers. The artist will host a session titled ‘Creating a Hit Song: Formula Vs.Trend with the intention of sharing his personal expertise and successes with young artists on how to create the perfect hit song.
Taking action to ensure a sustainable and healthy music industry, XP Music Futures will initiate conversations around mental health and wellbeing as important agents to be able to further nurture the growth of the regional music scene.
Amongst the speakers covering this important topic is Dutch superstar DJ and Revealed Recordings founder, Hardwell, who will host a session labeled ‘Wellness for the Constantly Creative Mind’.
The informal one-on-one conversation will invite Hardwell to shed light on his mental health struggles and how he’s managed his mental health since his return to the music industry. Looking forward to his session, Hardwell expressed: “Music is my biggest passion in life. I’m excited to share my experience and have meaningful discussions at XP Music Futures with Arab youth and upcoming talent around mental health in the music industry and its significance for the industry overall.”
XP Music Futures will be kickstarting the loudest week of Riyadh, taking place on November 28-30, ahead of the giant SOUNDSTORM festival, and beginning right after the event. Music professionals and fans can get their tickets here: mdlbeast.com starting September 24, 2022.
Local acts Majid Jordan, Dish Dash, DJ Kayan, Cosmicat and more.
More than 2000 fans attended the sold-out event in Al Ula.
More than 2000 music fans flocked to the ancient desert city of AlUla’s this weekend to attend the boutique music and arts event, AZIMUTH. The sold out event, delivered by MDLBEAST, the Saudi-based music entertainment company, returned in its second edition showcasing the best of EDM with DJs and acts flown in from around the world to delight audiences in the Saudi Arabian heritage heartland.
The two day event featured international acts including the crowd-rousing DJ Snake; Kelis who performed her 2003 smash hit Milkshake; and the prolific tastemaker of house and modern techno Damian Lazarus on day one. Day two turned up the volume even more with an epic performance from the seven piece band of Austrian artist Parov Stelar, and American R&B superstar Jason Derulo who opened with his chart-topping hit Whatcha Say and had the excitable crowd dancing and asking for more.
Local acts from the flourishing Saudi music scene included a lineup of rising female stars DJ Kayan, Birdperson and Cosmicat plus perennially popular Dish Dash and Majid Jordan. DISCO MISR delighted and surprised with their unique 80s and 90s infused Arabic pop. The unique sunset to sunrise event had artists clamouring to be involved with early morning sets by Vinyl Mode, Nomad, Anmarz. Local hero, DJ Baloo pulled off a stand-out performance in the final hours, as did BKR with his set timed to coincide with the final sunrise moment to an audience eager for more. The AlUla moment capped off an event set in an ancient land with a nod to the past but with eyes firmly fixed on the future. AZIMUTH is an event that is sure to be on the radar for festival goers around the world.
The stage was set within the stunning natural landscape of AlUla with the intimate arena surrounded by the rock formations that have stood for millions of years. A light show using the ancient rocks as the canvas and impressive stage production provided further entertainment to the crowd.
Taking place on the Saudi National Day weekend from sunset on 22nd September to sunrise on 24th September in the same canyon that hosted Desert X AlUla, those lucky enough to secure one of only 1000 tickets per day also had the privilege of seeing some of the remaining artworks that were showcased as part of the event set up.
AZIMUTH was the first of a long list of exciting events and festivals under the AlUla Moments calendar, cementing the Arabian Peninsula city as the arts and culture capital it once was as the crossroads of civilisations dating back 7000 years.
The first single off Moayad’s latest project, Theeb, is available now across all streaming platforms music.empi.re
MDLBEAST Records – Saudi Arabia’s fast growing and dynamic record label – is today marking another mega milestone for the Kingdom’s burgeoning music scene with the release of ‘Theeb’ the first single from the forthcoming debut hip-hop album by Riyadh based rapper, Moayad. The release and album project is the result of a new partnership between the record label and Badiya Studio, a creative studio run by Chndy and Abu Hamdan, known as Warchieff.
Written as a homage to both Arabic poetry and rap music, Moayad’s debut album is a celebration of his Saudi heritage and a deep dive into the defining role poetry has played in his life as an artist.
Immersed in different cultures while growing up, the 35-year-old comedian, actor and rapper found hip-hop as a source of inspiration. He recognized the similarities of hip-hop and traditional Arabic poetry – in cleverness, cantor and thought.
Moayad merged these creative influences in his latest project by demonstrating the interplay of poetry and hip-hop. The album – a project more than a year in the making – is the result of two cultures colliding.
Doctor turned entertainer, Moayad has built his reputation as a creative pioneer in the Middle East with his T.V and comedy work.
The release of the album is his next groundbreaking endeavor, he says: “It’s been a long time coming but finally launching this album feels like a big moment. With the album, I wanted to bring these two musical passions of mine together to create something powerful and beautiful.
I have always been captivated by wordplay, the huge vocabulary of the Arabic language and have been involved with poetry since my younger years. I see this album as the first culmination of these passions I’ve had my entire life.”
This marks his first-ever studio album and foray into music, he says, out of necessity more than anything else.
“For a long time, I’ve felt this need to celebrate the poetic heritage of this part of the world,” said Moayad. “To do so now, and through hip-hop, I see as a perfect synergy.”
The album’s first single, Theeb, which translates to “wolf”, was released across all streaming platforms, receiving much acclaim. Theeb is a musical journey through Moayad’s two cultures – opening with drums thumping to the rhythm of the Yemeni sharh. As the track progresses, it evolves into an electronic hip-hop dreamscape produced by Ntitled and Executive Producer, Abu Hamdan (Warchieff).
Talal AlBahiti, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Talent Booking and Events, said about the release: “This is a huge moment in the history of Saudi music – and music across the world. Moayad is a born creative and the authenticity, flair, and genius he has poured into the album already cement what promises to be a long-term stand-out reputation for both an artist and album.
MDLBEAST Records is the home of fresh talent and Middle Eastern creatives, with open doors to multi genres including dance, hip-hop and indie music. For us, too, this is a landmark launch: our first album release and genre outside of electronic music. (howefarmstn)
For that to be hip-hop infused with the raw and true poetic-rap skills of Moayad is an honor for us, and we are sure it will mark an exciting new dawn and era for music here in the Kingdom, across the region and on a global scale. MDLBEAST records strives to be the home of fresh talent and Middle Eastern creatives, opening its doors to multi genres including dance, hip hop, R&B, and indie.”
The track’s music video, which is available to watch here, was done in collaboration with regional creatives including Chndy as Director and the Badiya Studio duo as Creative Directors, making this release a major success for many local creatives.
The first single Theeb is available to buy and stream now, with a full release to follow in November music.empi.re.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted boxing history tonight as a capacity crowd inside Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Arena and the millions tuning in from around the world witnessed Oleksandr Usyk’s defeat…
Anthony Joshua, for a second time to retain the unified World Heavyweight Championship.
Unquestionably the biggest boxing event of 2022 and one of the most eagerly anticipated rematches ever, the ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ lived up to its billing as the heavyweight fight everyone was waiting for. The headline bout, which capped off an outstanding night of professional boxing in a country fast transforming through sport, featured an epic encounter between two of the world’s greatest fighters, with Ukrainian Usyk, declared the winner by split decision after neither man could secure victory within the 12-round distance.
Official weigh in, ahead of the Rage on the Red Sea heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Olexander Usyk in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday 19th August 2022
Usyk once again showcased why he is widely considered the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, delivering yet another boxing masterclass by utilizing his skill, speed, movement, and punch precision – which ultimately secured the victory. While one ringside judge scored the bout in favor of Joshua by 115-113, the two others sided with Usyk by 115-113 and 116-112, extending the defending champion’s undefeated record to 20-0, KO13.
With the win, Usyk successfully defended his WBA ‘Super’, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles for the first time having won them from Joshua in his last outing in September 2021, as well as winning the prestigious Ring Magazine title recently vacated by WBC belt holder Tyson Fury.
Official weigh in,ahead of the Rage on the Red Sea heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Olexander Usyk in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday 19th August 2022
“I boxed for the whole of Ukraine tonight,” Usyk declared in the aftermath of his successful title defense. “The victory was extremely important for me, my team, and my country. Because of this, the fight was different than the first [with Joshua] although I was able to control my emotions. In round eight, I believe I saw in his eyes that he was feeling victorious, and in round nine he surprised me. I just kept telling myself ‘you cannot stop, you cannot stop’. Some big things were at stake tonight and in the end, belts are coming back to Ukraine.”
In addition to Usyk’s contributions to the event, enormous credit was also given to former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua, whose efforts helped ensure that Rage in the Red Sea will leave behind a lasting legacy for boxing on home soil and foreign shores alike. The Briton delivered a much-improved performance from the Usyk vs Joshua 1 meeting billed as ‘The Perfect Storm, making a bright start and enjoying particular success in round nine, where he appeared to cause his opponent problems. However, he was unable to reclaim the titles and become a three-time champion on this occasion.
“As a competitor, I’m upset deep down in my heart because I wanted to win, but Oleksandr Usyk deserves every bit of credit for the victory,” he said. “It takes a lot to step up in weight, challenge yourself in a new division, and become champion. I adapted tonight to give him a more competitive fight. I made changes and left everything in the gym and the ring. Both nights we’ve met in the ring, he has done well, so congratulations to him. He’s a great fighter.”
Elsewhere, the undercard also provided plenty of action throughout the night. More history was made when Ramla Ali and Crystal Nova Garcia took to the floor for the first professional women’s fight in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with Ali taking a dominant knockout in the first round. To the delight of the home crowd, Ziyad ‘Zizo’ Almaayouf matched Ali’s first-round knockout in his professional debut against Hector Alatorre.
Later in the billing, Badou Jack bested Richard Rivera in a split decision thriller, whilst Callum Smith provided one of the most impressive performances of the night with a fourth-round knock-out against Mathieu Bauderlique. The co-main bout between Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhang provided the perfect 12-round warm-up to the World Championship thriller, with Hrgovic claiming a unanimous decision win over the Chinese boxer in the epic IBF heavyweight eliminator.
The latest international sports event to take place in Saudi Arabia, Rage on the Red Sea has been held under the patronage of HRH Mohammad bin Salman and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions. Vision 2030 aims to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors to the Kingdom by developing a vibrant environment for participation and spectatorship in sports and entertainment whilst aiming to transform the Kingdom for a post-hydrocarbon era.
Skill Challenge Entertainment (SCEE), supported by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Sport, secured the global rights to deliver this memorable event to the world.
Destination Jeddah
Destination Riyadh
Destination Sharqiya
Destination Listing
MDLBEAST has just announced their headline acts set to perform at the SOUNDSTORM 2022 music festival taking place in Banban, Riyadh over the weekend of December 1-3.
