Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois: Young contender legitimizes his reign at Wembley Stadium

If Saudi Arabia has become the home of major boxing, then fight week in London was a demonstration of the kingdom's growing and controversial influence on the sport.

The event was billed as the 'Riyadh Season' event and was organised by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Entertainment Authority, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which has reportedly spent more than £5 billion on the sport.

And Alalshikh has spared no expense for a fight week of a magnitude never seen before in British boxing.

The fighters were treated to a Hollywood premiere at a lavish arrival ceremony in London's Leicester Square.

After the public training on Wednesday, during which the Wembley Arena was cleverly transformed into Buckingham Palace, three professional fights even took place.

A press conference was held in London's stunning, Grade II listed Guildhall and Trafalgar Square served as the symbolic location for the weigh-in.

On fight night, the loud crowd provided a stark contrast to the calmer, quieter surroundings of the alcohol-free kingdom.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, actress Sienna Miller and film director Guy Ritchie provided celebrity touches. Tourism in Saudi Arabia was promoted through videos and competitions on the screens at Wembley Stadium.

At a stand outside the stadium, fans were able to “capture their Saudi moment” by sampling traditional Middle Eastern coffee while the kingdom’s national anthem was played before “God Save the King” to the organizers’ “honor.”

The whole event was new territory for British boxing and gives hope that the sport is moving in the right direction with the biggest fights being held on a regular basis.

But at what cost? Fury vs Usyk will take place in Riyadh for the second time and there is no guarantee that Joshua or the new King Dubois will compete in the UK any time soon.

On the other hand, without the Saudi investment, it is quite possible that these massive showdowns between the heavyweights would not have taken place at all.