The city of Jeddah is preparing to host the global boxing event 'The Comeback' next Saturday, which will witness the return of British legend Anthony Joshua to the ring after a long absence due to injuries sustained in a tragic accident that killed his two friends. Three Saudi boxers, alongside Egyptian boxers, will participate in the event to represent the Arab world, facing an elite group of international boxers.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Saudi boxer Ziad Al-Maayouf said that Vision 2030 has given Saudi boxers the opportunity to achieve their dream, pointing to the unlimited support they receive from Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, especially for boxing and Saudi boxers.

Al-Maayouf, who was selected as an inspirational athlete for 2025, explained that his primary goal in professional boxing is to inspire Saudi and Arab youth to excel globally in this ancient sport.

The fight card featured three Saudi boxers (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Regarding his bachelor's degree in psychology, Al-Maayouf noted that his professional boxing career prompted him to seek answers about anxiety and fear before fights, and how to psychologically handle pressure. He found that humans are capable of controlling their thoughts, and that positive self-talk is a powerful tool for development and success.

As for his preparations for the event, he revealed that he spent three months in an intensive training camp in Los Angeles under the supervision of world-class trainer Buddy McGirt. The camp included a precise nutritional program and daily training sessions ranging from two to three sessions. He noted that McGirt recently trained a world champion who won a world title, and he hopes to achieve an accomplishment that delights the Saudi audience in Jeddah.

️| Saudi boxer Ziad Al-Maayouf to Asharq Al-Awsat before the launch of the global boxing event 'The Comeback': My dream is to one day see a full world fight card featuring Saudi boxers. My real goal is to inspire youth, and I believe that prayer and honoring parents are the foundation of success before any victory inside the ring. pic.twitter.com/cHGeBnGBPw

— Asharq Al-Awsat - Sports (@aawsat_spt) July 21, 2026

For his part, boxer Mohammed Al-Aql expressed his happiness with the significant addition the Kingdom has made to boxing globally, saying: 'Since the start of hosting Riyadh Season and boxing championships, the popularity of the sport has increased worldwide, not just locally.'

He expressed his pride and honor that his professional career started from Riyadh Season championships.

️| Saudi boxer Mohammed Al-Aql to Asharq Al-Awsat before the launch of the global boxing event 'The Comeback' in Jeddah: Since the start of Riyadh Season and Saudi Arabia hosting boxing championships, the popularity of the sport has increased worldwide, not only in Saudi Arabia. I am proud that my professional career started from Riyadh Season championships. pic.twitter.com/fmRgWzI9AP

— Asharq Al-Awsat - Sports (@aawsat_spt) July 21, 2026

As for boxer Sultan Al-Mohammed, he said: 'It is an honor to represent my country in this great event among an elite group of the world's top boxers. My fighting mentality is based on applying everything I trained on during the camp.'

️| Saudi boxer Sultan Al-Mohammed to Asharq Al-Awsat before the launch of the global boxing event 'The Comeback' in Jeddah: It is an honor to represent my country in this event among an elite group of international boxers. My fighting mentality is to apply everything I trained on in the camp. pic.twitter.com/2InnXL01s0

— Asharq Al-Awsat - Sports (@aawsat_spt) July 21, 2026

At the conclusion of the interview, the three boxers extended an invitation to the Saudi public to attend their fights and those of the Egyptian boxers, affirming that the support of the Saudi audience remains the best in the world. They expressed their confidence that first, the success granted by God Almighty, and then the support of the Saudi public, will contribute to achieving great accomplishments in Jeddah.​