Heavyweight champions! How Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo have knocked down Antony Joshua & Deontay Wilder ahead of ‘The Last Dance’ between Inter Miami & Al-Nassr superstars

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have shown that they are heavyweight champions by delivering knock downs on Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

WHAT HAPPENED?
Two superstars from the world of boxing are due to be back in action on Saturday when they face Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker respectively. Those fights will be taking place in Saudi Arabia, with sporting events featuring elite performers continuing to head for the Middle East.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Portuguese icon Ronaldo is already in that region, as he plays his club football at Al-Nassr, while eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi passed up the chance to tread that path when opting instead for a switch to MLS side Inter Miami during the summer of 2023.
DID YOU KNOW?
Two eternal rivals will see their paths cross again in 2024, with a friendly date being lined up at the Riyadh Cup in February. Preparations are already underway at the Kingdom Arena for that contest, with turf being laid. As a result, The Mirror reports on how boxing spectacles are being impacted.

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WHAT NEXT?
Joshua and Wilder will be in action at the same venue, but they are being moved to a temporary stage – rather than the middle of a footballing playing field. Organisers do not want to risk the pitch being damaged ahead of what is being billed as ‘The Last Dance’ between all-time greats Messi and Ronaldo.

WHAT HAPPENED?