Some of the greatest sporting venues in the world have hosted epic boxing fights, from Wembley Stadium to Madison Square Garden.
At times, a fight can have a higher profile or be influenced by the venue in which the bout takes place.
Even stadiums such as the Estadio Azteca and Yankee Stadium have helped produce some of the highest-profile fights of all time.
However, sometimes big-name fighters do not always compete in the more recognizable venues. Sometimes, a more obscure location is used.
Boxing fans may ever be surprised to learn that some of the top fighters in the sport have performed at some unorthodox locations. This includes the likes of the greatest heavyweights of all time, to some of the best British boxers ever.
Here is a list of some of the more bizarre boxing venues that have played host to high-profile fights.
David Haye vs Vance Winn (2003) – Playboy Mansion, California
David Haye is one of the biggest names in modern British boxing. However, before he became a household name, he fought in a very unorthodox event.
Taking place at the Playboy Mansion in California, Haye would have his fifth professional fight against Vince Winn (6-13-2).
The event in the famous mansion owned by Hugh Hefner would be headlined by former world champion Jeff Lacy, who defeated Richard Grant on the top of the bill.
Haye would win his fight in the Playboy Mansion via first-round TKO, one year before fighting for his first world title.
Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman (1974) – Stade du 20 Mai, Zaire
‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ is one of the most famous boxing matches of all time, as Muhammad Ali took on George Foreman.
Foreman was aiming to defend his WBC World Heavyweight title, however, it was Ali who would bring home the belt.
Ali even whispered to Foreman taunting him before finishing the champion in the eighth round.
However, as famous as the bout is, it took place in an unlikely venue.
The heavyweights clashed in Zaire, which is now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The two met in the 20th of May Stadium, which is now known as Stade Tata Raphael.
With over 60,000 people in attendance, the bout began at roughly 4 am local time to accommodate American audiences.
Despite the early start time, Ali and Foreman still fought in heat of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chris Eubank v Ron Essett (1992) – Hotel Quinta do Lago, Portugal
The start of the 1990s would see Chris Eubank become a world champion and one of the biggest names in British boxing. However, Eubank’s eighth world title fight would come in a less glamorous venue.
Eubank had previously competed in the likes of White Hart Lane and the Olympia Grand Hall, however, in 1992, he would compete in a hotel in The Algarve in Portugal.
The bout took place outdoors, in the car park of the Hotel Quinta do Lago.
Eubank would take on Ron Essett (25-4-2), and win the bout via unanimous decision in a bout that was labeled, ‘The Treat in the Heat’.
Evander Holyfield vs Riddick Bowe 2 (1993) – Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas
In 1993, heavyweights Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe would meet for the second time in Las Vegas.
Their first bout would take place in Caesar’s Palace, which was used for many high-profile fights around the time, with Bowe winning via decision.
Although Caesar’s Palace was used for many fights, the sequel between Holyfield and Bowe would show why an open-air arena in Las Vegas was not a perfect choice of venue.
In an unlikely event, a hang-glider crashed into the side of the ring in round 7 of the bout. The freak occurrence caused a 21-minute delay.
Holyfield feels the hand glider incident saved Bowe from a knockout, however, he would still win the bout despite the mid-fight delay.
The venue continued to host boxing matches after the incident, however, the last boxing match at the famous casino was in 1996, when Holyfield fought Mike Tyson.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz 2 (2019) – Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia
Anthony Joshua suffered a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz when the heavyweights met for the first time in 2019, with the Mexican stopping the Englishman in round seven.
The two would rematch six months later, this time, in a more unusual venue than their last meeting in Madison Square Garden.
Although Saudi Arabia has become a common host country for high-profile boxing fights, it was not as frequent in 2019. So when Joshua fought Ruiz in Diriyah, a suitable arena had to be made for the world title fight.
Just two months before the bout happened, construction on the Diriyah Arena began. Remarkably, the venue in the middle of the desert was ready in time to host the fight.
The venue was made with a capacity of 20,000 seats and played host to the fight that would see Joshua reclaim his heavyweight titles.
Despite the size of the venue, it has been left largely unused since its construction for the Joshua vs Ruiz fight. Jake Paul fought Tommy Fury at the Saudi Arabian venue in 2023, and the Diriyah Tennis Cup took place there in 2019, however, no other notable sporting venues have occurred there.
Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin (2020) – Matchroom HQ Garden, England
The COVID-19 pandemic put the sports world on hold in 2020. This would lead some sports organizers having to get creative in order to get events off the ground.
Boxing was not an exception to this, as Eddie Hearn was able to host a heavyweight clash in his back garden.
Dillian Whyte would take on Alexander Povetkin in Essex, outside of the Matchroom HQ, with the Russian being the victor.
The temporary venue with no crowd would host a total of seven events, with fighters such as Katie Taylor, Chris Billam-Smith, and Joshua Buatsi all competing in the unorthodox venue.