Inside Dubai’s Duty Free Tennis Stadium, hailed as a ‘modern day gladiator arena’ and set to host Thor vs Eddie Hall
THE DUBAI Duty Free Tennis Stadium will play host to boxing's heaviest ever fight - and has been hailed as a 'modern day gladiator arena'.
Strongman rivals Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall will settle their score over six-rounds in the 5,000-seater stadium on Saturday night.
Just before, newly-formed promotion Probellum stage an evening of world title action headlined by Sunny Edwards, 26, and Muhammad Waseem, 34.
And Hall of Fame promoter Richard Schaefer warned the close proximity will lead to a bare pit-like atmosphere.
Schaefer told SunSport: "This is an absolute first-class venue. I've been at many venues. There is not one bad seat in the house.
"I went all the way up and honestly, the view you have right into the ring, it's like a modern-day gladiator boxing facility, even though it's a tennis stadium."
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A tennis stadium may appear an unorthodox venue for what is billed
But Schaefer insisted the complex - which opened in 1993 - is capable of hosting just about any grudge match.
And even though the two gigantic super-heavyweights scaled a combined 47 STONE - the arena is still child-friendly.
Schaefer said: "These tennis stadiums are perfect for boxing. I've done fights in Carson, California, Los Angeles from a tennis stadium.
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"And that tennis stadium established itself with the nickname 'The War Ground' because the fights were always so good.
"Dubai has these kind of infrastructures in a safe and clean environment where you feel comfortable, as a parent to take your kids.
"Or you grandparents, your whole family. And that is what is important."
