Anthony Joshua insisted he doesn't know what sportswashing while praising Saudi Arabia ahead of his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah.
Joshua looks to win back the heavyweight belts he lost to Usyk last September on August 20 at the Jeddah Super Dome. 'AJ' last fought in the nation three years ago, becoming a two-time heavyweight champion by avenging his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia's involvement in sports such as boxing, football and Formula 1 has been heavily criticised in recent years. The Middle Eastern nation has been accused of using sport as a distraction from human rights abuses, a practice commonly referred to as sportswashing.
A report last year from The Guardian revealed Saudi had spent $1.5billion (£1.2bn) on sportswashing. In recent weeks, some of the world's best golfers have been criticised for signing up to the country's inaugural LIV series event.
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When questioned on the matter at a press conference in Jeddah ahead of his upcoming fight, Joshua told reporters: "I don't know what that [sportswashing] is. I'm here to win the heavyweight champion of the world. I like Saudi. I think Saudi's good. I'm having a good time here. I'm treated really well.
"All that allegation stuff, for me, I'm not caught up in any of that stuff. I'm here to have a good time, mix with the local people, bring entertainment to Saudi."
Saudi Arabia reportedly stumped up £60million to host the rematch after the fight had been tipped to take place in London. Human rights organisation Amnesty International challenged Joshua and Usyk to speak out about humanitarian issues in the nation after the rematch was announced.
But Joshua has instead done the opposite, praising the nation's organisation when he rematched Ruiz in 2019. Talking on The Mo Show, he said: "I know Saudi would be, as we say 'lit', I know it would be good because hospitality, cleanliness, organisation, everything was spot on. The show was immaculate, with a self-built stadium that was filled out. It even rained that day.
"The stars that came out that night to watch the boxing, I feel it was just phenomenal. It met my expectations and beyond, we became a two-time champion, speaking three-time into existence, so it just put the icing on the cake for me."
