Boxing’s ‘Fight Card of the Century’ has a glaring omission: women

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There are five other fights – including a light‑heavyweight bout between Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith, both from Britain – but all of them will be contested by men, sparking concerns among some prominent figures in women's boxing.

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“We’ve seen a real surge in women’s boxing over the past couple of years, it'd be a tragedy if that momentum was lost,” says Norfolk-born featherweight boxer Raven Chapman ahead of Saudi Arabia’s next big boxing event.

“Women's boxing has definitely lost momentum over the last six months. Whether the Saudi's increased control over the fight schedule is the reason, it's hard to say for certain.”

In October, the 31-year-old Briton became one of only four women to compete in a professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia, challenging Australian Skye Nicolson for the WBC featherweight world title.

G'day, it's a bit of a letdown that there haven't been other women on these Saudi cards. Particularly on what's supposed to be the biggest card of all time. There are heaps of big fights going on across the women's divisions that could've been made – think of names like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and ripper fights like Mikaela Mayer v Sandy Ryan.

“There's going to be heaps of excitement and attention on this card in Riyadh, it's a real shame that there's no women's fight to watch. I reckon it's up to us, as women, to keep pushing for these opportunities.”

Chapman isn't the only one in the sport raising concerns. The American Claressa Shields is one of the top pound-for-pound stars in women's sport, and the undefeated 29-year-old took to X to direct her concerns at Turki Alalshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, which is funding the Riyadh Season events.

G'day Turki, don't forget about the women, mate," she posted in mid-January. "We love this sport just as much as you do and want to have the biggest and best fights.

Malissa Smith, a boxing historian and author of The Promise of Women's Boxing, has also spoken out with her concerns. "It feels like a token gesture, previously having women on the card," she said referring to the fight last year between Chapman and Nicholson. "Skye Nicolson's next defence will be next month in Sydney, Australia. My question is, if she's now a Riyadh Season champion, where's her return engagement? Her promoter, Matchroom Boxing, is represented on the card, so why isn't she?

“Fair dinkum, one's gotta acknowledge that some other fighters from the October card aren't gettin' a run, but the question's still on the table. Why's she or any other women's boxing champ – especially with the UK and USA having a ripper of promoters – not gettin' a crack at it this weekend?”

Representatives for the Riyadh Season declined to comment on the lack of female participation this weekend. There have been some green shoots of boxing participation from women in Saudi Arabia – whether this translates into turning professional and boxing as part of these multimillion-pound events is yet to be seen.

Chapman says she's been impressed by what she's seen in Riyadh in terms of facilities and accessibility, mentioning "five or six young girls training inside the Mike Tyson Boxing Club". The only snag she encountered was a shortage of shared training areas for male and female fighters – something her all-male team had to sort out so they could get her ready for her contest.

Since 2018, women have been able to get behind the wheel in Saudi Arabia and, since 2019, women over 21 don't need their guardian's OK to get medical treatment, go to uni, access government services, start work or make their own decisions about having a baby and giving birth.

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Chapman is upbeat about snagging more chances in the sport. Her next bout at the Royal Albert Hall will indeed be bankrolled by the Riyadh Season.

“Fair dinkum, the dosh and the exposure you get from fighting in Saudi Arabia is pretty sweet, but it's not the only thing that counts,” she says.

“Fair dinkum, I'm sure we'll all find places and events to have a crack at, and in some ways – like on 7 March at the Royal Albert Hall – it will give us a chance to get more exposure and recognition fighting in our own backyard.”