Joshua v Wallin LIVE: Eddie Hearn casts doubt on Wilder fight in post-fight interview
Anthony Joshua shone at the Day of Reckoning in Saudi Arabia to breathe new life into his pursuit of a third world heavyweight title after victory over Otto Wallin.
On a bumper card in Riyadh, as the Gulf state continues its boxing revolution, Joshua stopped the Swede after five rounds, holding up his end of the bargain ahead of a bumper 2024 for the sport in the region.
But Deontay Wilder was upset by Joseph Parker, who was dominant over 12 rounds against the lacklustre American, whose future is now in major doubt.
Elsewhere on the card, pound-for-pound star Dmitry Bivol struggled to put away Briton Lyndon Arthur and was forced to settle for a points win to retain his WBA light-heavyweight title in anticipation of an undisputed title fight against the winner of Artur Beterbiev v Callum Smith. Daniel Dubois also impressed, outclassing the controversial Jarrell Miller to produce a spectacular stoppage to revitalise his career after a crushing defeat to Joe Joyce and a stoppage to Oleksandr Usyk. Follow all the latest reaction from Riyadh - plus get the latest tips and betting advice here.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin - Day of Reckoning live updates
Anthony Joshua brilliantly beats Otto Wallin on the Day of Reckoning in Saudi Arabia
Deontay Wilder stunningly loses to Joseph Parker in American’s first fight in 14 months
Joshua v Wilder fight that was set for 2024 looks to be off after Wilder’s defeat
AJ could face unbeaten Croatian Filip Hrgovic next
STEVE BUNCE: Welcome back, Big Lad! Heavyweight boxing finallyreturns to life
Cristiano Ronaldo joined by Conor McGregor at ringside for Daniel Dubois’s win in slugfest with Jarell Miller
Pound-for-pound star Dmitry Bivol returns to action by beating Britain’s Lyndon Arthur
Deontay Wilder hints at retirement after shock Joseph Parker loss
Conor McGregor calls out Manny Pacquiao – ‘Is he a man or a mouse’
12:33 , Luke Baker
Conor McGregor repeatedly called out Manny Pacquiao for either a boxing or UFC fight as he watched Anthony Joshua’s impressive win at ‘The Day of Reckoning’ in Riyadh.
McGregor has not fought since suffering a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, but he returned to the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s (Usada) testing pool in October to potentially get the wheels in motion for a return to the octagon.
It was announced back in February that McGregor, 35, would fight Michael Chandler this year, but that failed to materialise as the wait for the Irishman – who has also previously fought Pacquiao’s great rival Floyd Mayweather in a boxing bout – to return to combat sports goes on.
Sat next to a bemused-looking Cristiano Ronaldo at ringside for the card which included Joshua’s dominant win over Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder’s stunning defeat to Joseph Parker, McGregor ranted about potentially facing Pacquiao – with the rules, weight class and Pacquiao’s bravery apparently all issues of contention.
Conor McGregor calls out Manny Pacquiao – ‘Is he a man or a mouse’
Eddie Hearn hits out at Deontay Wilder for ‘ruining plans’ of Anthony Joshua super fight
10:45 , Luke Baker
Eddie Hearn has hit out at Deontay Wilder for “ruining the plans” of a proposed heavyweight super-fight between Wilder and Anthony Joshua in 2024 after the American suffered a stunning defeat to Joseph Parker.
On a stacked card at ‘The Day of Reckoning’ in Riyadh, the 38-year-old Wilder was stunningly demolished by Parker in a 118-111, 118-110, 120-108 unanimous decision loss before Joshua impressed across five dominant rounds against Otto Wallin to force a corner stoppage.
It was an evening that reignited heavyweight boxing after a forgettable 2023 for the sport’s glamour division but it did disrupt plans for the long-anticipated match-up between Joshua and Wilder.
Eddie Hearn hits out at Deontay Wilder for ‘ruining plans’ of Anthony Joshua fight
Anthony Joshua earns bittersweet win over Otto Wallin after Deontay Wilder’s costly failure
10:00 , Luke Baker
For Anthony Joshua, this was a strange, bittersweet victory.
The sweetness was contained in the controlled aggression that “AJ” accessed across five rounds against Otto Wallin, in the intelligent, improved way in which he closed distance against a southpaw, and in the ease of this first fight under Ben Davison. That sweetness also came courtesy of Joshua’s ability to outperform and overshadow Deontay Wilder, whose failure against Joseph Parker was a costly one, just minutes before AJ dismissed Wallin.
The bitterness, however, was brought about by Wilder’s failure itself, one that might have cost the American and his distant rival a career-defining contest and generational wealth.
Read Alex Pattle’s full report from AJ’s bittersweet night in Riyadh:
Anthony Joshua earns bittersweet win over Wallin after Wilder’s costly failure
Welcome back, Big Lad! Heavyweight boxing finally returns to life
09:23 , Luke Baker
Anthony Joshua looked like Anthony Joshua when he got in the ring two hours after midnight in Riyadh on Saturday night.
Joshua was scheduled for 12 rounds in the main event as part of the Day of Reckoning, against Sweden’s Otto Wallin. There were seven other fights packed with blood, shocks and nine knockdowns. Ten of the world’s top 20 heavyweights were on the remarkable bill.
At the end of five rounds, Wallin was pulled out; he had been hurt, his nose was broken, and Joshua had chased him all over the ring. It was meant to be a hard fight, a 50-50 fight, but instead, a mobile, free, relaxed and nasty Joshua entered the ring and took care of business. And he also changed, in five fun rounds, the heavyweight landscape. Joshua is back in the heavyweight game and this version is smarter than the old version.
Read Steve Bunce’s column from Riyadh, on the night that heavyweight boxing finally returned to its best:
Welcome back, Big Lad! Heavyweight boxing finally returns to its best
Anthony Joshua’s next fight revealed by Eddie Hearn after win over Otto Wallin
00:23 , Jack Rathborn
Eddie Hearn has revealed Anthony Joshua will fight Filip Hrgovic next after a sensational win against Otto Wallin.
‘AJ’ was excellent across five punishing rounds in Saudi Arabia on the Day of Reckoning card in Riyadh, busting up the Swede’s face and eventually forcing a corner stoppage.
Joshua had signed to fight Deontay Wilder next in a super fight, but the American was stunned by Joseph Parker, dropping a points decision across 12 lacklustre rounds.
Anthony Joshua’s next fight revealed by Eddie Hearn after win over Otto Wallin
Eddie Hearn reacts to Anthony Joshua victory and reveals next fight
00:02 , Jack Rathborn
"He's back, he's destroying people in sparring, I believe he's the best heavyweight in the world. It was a punch-perfect performance. He dispatched him.
“It was a stunning performance, in this mindset and this team, I think he’s unbeatable.
“2024 will be a massive year for him. It was a tough decision, between the championship and Wilder, we signed for Wilder, he lost, that’s OK. Maybe it’s a blessing. This guy is about championships, he wants to become a three-time world champion. Wallin was No 2. It’ll be Hrgovic vs AJ for the world title. I’m so happy to see him smiling and performing so well.
“He’s a dangerous man in that mood. He’s back.”
Anthony Joshua reacts to victory over Otto Wallin
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:58 , Jack Rathborn
“I wasn’t watching, I focus on myself, let’s do a tally of how many people mention my name, I focus on myself. I heard Deontay lost, so what, he’ll come back.
“It shows there are fine margins in this business. I’m not ducking. Everything he [Deontay] said about me, I could rip him apart now, but I’ll take the higher ground.
“No, look at what Dubois did this evening, you can do anything, don’t give up, if he wants, he can come back. I’m sure everybody wants to see that fight.
“One step at a time, every fight leads to the final destination. Keep on praying, working hard. I’m on a journey, stay focused, let’s see how far I can take it.”
Anthony Joshua reacts to victory over Otto Wallin
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:55 , Jack Rathborn
“I respect Otto, I know what he brings to the table, not a throwback, no, another day at the office,” says Joshua.
“Victory by any means, when I pray, every cell and my spirit is leading to victory. It’s a treacherous business.
“It’s like snakes and ladders, one win gets you up the ladder, one defeat puts you straight down. I was looking on the roster of heavyweights on this card, I fought Otto, Parker, I was going to fight Baby Miller. I’ve sparred Agit... I have worked hard. All that history with Otto paid off today.
“I’m a gifted fighter, I work extremely hard. I’m searching for greatness. I’m not hopping around, Ben Davison is a really good addition to the group. They’ve helped me develop in a short space of time.”
Anthony Joshua stops Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:48 , Jack Rathborn
Joshua stops Wallin after five rounds!
Wallin’s corner throw in the towel. The Swede’s nose is likely broken and his corner has seen enough.
Very impressive from Joshua, that, “I’m back!” he shouts.
Anthony Joshua fights Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:45 , Jack Rathborn
Round 5
“This is the AJ of old, almost,” says Darren Barker.
Joshua in complete control, a right hand landing and Wallin scrambling to stay in this one. His own straight left falling short when he does come inside.
Wallin in big trouble! Sent sprawling across the ring, Joshua poised to push for a stoppage.
Wallin looks dazed and his nose could be broken. Wallin went for the straight left and got countered by a right-left combo!
Dazn sound fails as Anthony Joshua’s fight against Otto Wallin starts
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:44 , Jack Rathborn
Dazn viewers were left frustrated as the streaming platform’s audio failed when Anthony Joshua’s fight with Otto Wallin began on Saturday.
Joshua boxed Wallin in Saudi Arabia, moments after Deontay Wilder suffered a devastating decision loss to Joseph Parker in the same ring.
And when the main event began in Riyadh, the audio failed on Dazn’s stream of the highly-anticipated fight, with the platform adding an on-screen notice that read: “Apologies for audio issues.”
Dazn sound fails as Anthony Joshua’s fight against Otto Wallin starts
Anthony Joshua fights Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:40 , Jack Rathborn
Round 4
In three rounds, Joshua delivers a bloody nose and a cut to Wallin’s right eye. The tentative AJ is gone, there is aggression and purpose behind his work.
Wallin collapses in after another tidy combination from Joshua.
The snap to Joshua's jab! You can hear it cannon off the Swede’s face. Now Wallin backed into the corner. Joshua misses narrowly with a right from inside, it grazes the face of Wallin.
Todd Grisham says on commentary: “We want to apologise to those around the world who experienced audio issues, we’re back now, hope you’re enjoying the main event.”
Anthony Joshua fights Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:37 , Jack Rathborn
Round 3
Whipping hooks from AJ there, Wallin then takes a straight right.
A great scrap this, both men exchanging shots.
Wallin then staggered as he rides a mean right hand from Joshua.
Wallin now cut by the right eye, a dangerous area as he looks to lead off with the right hook.
Joshua pleased with his work after three. Punch of the fight? Maybe the straight right from Joshua to the body of Wallin.
Meanwhile, DAZN has completely lost sound for its broadcast, now three rounds in, fight fans are not too happy on social media.
Anthony Joshua fights Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:33 , Jack Rathborn
Round 2
Joshua with a lightning reaction there, the counter right lands, Wallin takes a jab flush too.
The southpaw stance is not confusing AJ in the slightest yet.
The Swede is then staggered by a partially blocked right from mid-range.
Joshua composed and has found a nice rhythm.
Anthony Joshua fights Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:29 , Jack Rathborn
Round 1
Joshua on the front foot and pawing the jab out as Wallin bounces off the ropes.
This is a relaxed AJ, for now, looking to dictate the tempo of the fight.
The pair exchange jabs, Wallin with the high guard, but the Joshua jab sneaks through.
And AJ loads up a big right, it’s a straight disguised as an uppercut. Great start from AJ, who looks very clear on the gameplan.
Anthony Joshua fights Otto Wallin in crunch heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:18 , Jack Rathborn
Here comes Otto Wallin. But first... The national anthem of Saudi Arabia.
Wallin comes out to ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All.
Wallin looks composed, a little twirl and bounce as he steps through the ropes.
Joshua up next...
Anthony Joshua ready for Otto Wallin test
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:13 , Jack Rathborn
“I think Joshua gets him out, in six or seven rounds,” says Andy Ruiz Jr.
Bellew adds: “Joshua will be Joshua, he’ll find the moment. He needs to let his hands go.
“He’s been in with guys, wiping away the previous rounds, these knockouts, he’s got it in his locker.
“He doesn’t care who he’s in there with.”
Deontay Wilder hints at retirement after shock Joseph Parker loss
Saturday 23 December 2023 23:01 , Jack Rathborn
“My timing was off a little bit,” says Wilder. “Joseph did a great job. No excuses tonight, a good fight and we move on to the next thing.
“Stay calm and throw a couple of jabs and set up the right hand. Timing was off, he did a good job of avoiding and ducking.
“I felt I had the upper hand. [Talk of the Joshua fight was a distraction] a little bit, a lot of talk about a lot of different things. I’m a happy fighter. I’m a warrior, I’ll be back soon. And if not then, it’s been an enjoyment and a pleasure. I appreciate everybody for the love and support over the years.
“I’ve calmed down. I’ve done Ayahuasca, I’ve found a lot of happiness in my life. Win, lose or draw, I’ll wear my smile.”
Joseph Parker reacts to upsetting Deontay Wilder
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:57 , Jack Rathborn
“Just want to say a lot of respect for Wilder, we trained very hard for this, we had momentum,” says Parker.
“I was really fit, stay calm and relaxed. Focused for every minute of every round. People had plans, but this was God’s plan. Merry Christmas to us.
“A great finish to the year. I had to be aware at all times. He had a very hard right hand.
“Activity helped me massively, continuously in camp and not getting out of shape. This is massive, the toughest opponent I’ve faced.
“I’m back! I’m ready for anything and everything.”
Lacklustre Deontay Wilder stunned by Joseph Parker
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:54 , Jack Rathborn
118-111, 118-110, 120-108, all three scores to the winner by UD... JOSEPH PARKER!
Deontay Wilder is stunned in Riyadh, a huge upset, the American never got going.
A really disappointing performance from Wilder, that, a super fight with Joshua is surely off for the time being.
Joseph Parker on the brink of major upset after outboxing Deontay Wilder
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:51 , Jack Rathborn
Wilder lifted his hand in celebration at the final bell. Deluded or just an instinctive move.
Wilder surely didn’t win more than one round, Indy Sport gives Parker the nod on our card: 120-108.
Activity has been the downfall for Wilder, it seems. The Joshua fight is surely in major doubt for 2024.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:47 , Jack Rathborn
Round 12
Here we go then, Parker rushing into Wilder, who hammers away while the pair wrap up.
Chris Mannix on DAZN has given every round to Parker. Indy Sport has the contest 110-99 to Parker.
Wilder swinging, can he find the magic shot to change this?
Parker still pushing, he’s been excellent, the big upset is so close...
He’s done it, surely, Wilder was so poor, but raised his hand anyway!
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:44 , Jack Rathborn
Round 11
It’s so close for Parker now, two rounds...
Is Wilder still dangerous this deep into the fight? He has proven it in the past, but Parker has been well clear of danger throughout the contest. Now the pair are tied up.
Wilder’s corner now pleading with him to put the foot on the accelerator. Jab, big right... But it’s too slow. Parker slips so well.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:41 , Jack Rathborn
Round 10
A bull rush from Parker, it’s effective as Wilder refuses to punish him when he closes the distance.
The trilogy with Fury has clearly sapped something from the American.
A big right uppercut from Wilder, but Parker came over the top with a shot of his own.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:35 , Jack Rathborn
Round 9
That was a huge right hand from Parker, the punch of the fight. Wilder must come out strong here. His heavyweight title ambitions hanging by a thread.
Parker goes for the big right once more.
Wilder still waiting, refusing to let his hands go. Has he got old overnight, as the saying goes. But Wilder is finally on the front foot at the end of this round. A big right loops over the top. The crowd is on edge, still, but Parker can afford to be conservative now.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:32 , Jack Rathborn
Round 8
Wilder yet to switch up his strategy, an uppercut misses, but then Parker hesitates and takes a big right hand.
Will his sluggish start remotely matter once he introduces that power to Parker’s chin?
Back to the outside, though, Parker recovered and grasping the centre of the ring once more.
Jab, jab, jab. Parker up, down, up. DRAMA!
Wilder in huge trouble! Chaos here as Parker goes for the knockout!
Wilder is all over the place, the legs have gone and the crowd love this, wild shouts and screams around the arena.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:26 , Jack Rathborn
Round 7
A clean sweep for Parker then. But he surely has to go the distance and there are 18 more dangerous minutes.
Now a jab snaps Wilder’s head back.
Parker leads total punches landed through six rounds: 35-16. It’s not been a high-volume type of fight. But Parker won’t care.
That squat stance, pushing the jab out, then varying the depth. Wilder cannot get a grip so far.
A big right hand bounces off Wilder’s head, forcing the American to respond. A risk or two needed now, it’s slipping away.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:22 , Jack Rathborn
Round 6
Andy Lee is a happy trainer: “You're winning every round. You haven't even tried hard yet.”
Wilder must change things up. Darren Barker adds: “He has to let his hands go soon, come on, show us, show us why you’re called Dr Sleep. I’m not sure there is a Plan B? Plan B is Plan A. This is far too easy for Parker.”
A stiff jab from Parker, that’s smart work. Wilder steps forward, reckless, a big right blocked while Parker bounces off the ropes.
Both men tied up towards the end of the round, but Parker still banks the round. 60-54 for Indy Sport.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:20 , Jack Rathborn
Round 5
Chris Mannix on DAZN has this four rounds to none in favour of Parker, Indy Sport agrees with that verdict.
But Wilder is so dangerous until the very end. Parker still jabbing to the stomach, forcing Wilder to move and stay out of range.
Now a right hand from Parker, more punches landed, another round surely for the underdog.
Parker with a wink to his corner, confidence growing.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:16 , Jack Rathborn
Round 4
Here we go! Parker with a big shot and it sparks Wilder into life!
Parker wants to land that right, Wilder getting his jab going and then wraps his arms around the New Zealander after another right lunging in.
Now a huge right thrown by Wilder, but Parker ducks in and the pair are tied up once more. A much more interesting round with more tension with jeopardy throughout.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:12 , Jack Rathborn
Round 3
A first big right thrown by Wilder! It’s smothered by Parker, who continues to pop his jab out.
Wilder hesitant. Biding his time well into this third round. Now Parker with a looping right that misses as Wilder crouches and ties him up.
A double jab to the belly is setting up opportunities. It’s quiet in the arena, some drama could ignite it though.
Now a Parker jab backs Wilder up! It’s early, but this is not a good start.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:08 , Jack Rathborn
Round 2
Parker encouraged by Lee between rounds there, showing Wilder some interesting angles and looks.
Now Wilder jumps in, a jab, a switch of stance, this looks like a fast, dangerous Wilder, relying on moments in this contest when he’ll land clean shots.
But Parker holds the centre of the ring, forcing Wilder to move. Parker in like a bull, slashing at the midsection of the Alabama fighter.
“Easy work,” says Andy Lee. Right hand, left uppercut, that’s the combination they want. Remember that for later on...
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker fight in heavyweight contest
Saturday 23 December 2023 22:02 , Jack Rathborn
Round 1
Here we go! Major tension in the ring, can Parker avoid those bombs from Wilder?
Wilder on the back foot, Parker, crouching, bobbing up and down, changing the angles.
No punches landed through 90 seconds... Jabs only, but Wilder rocking back and forth, out of distance, and patient.
Parker pops a big right from range, the only notable punch of the round. The Kiwi takes it.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker up next
Saturday 23 December 2023 21:57 , Jack Rathborn
Now it’s Wilder, in a crown and black and gold robe.
The Bronze Bomber hopes to look menacing here before a super fight with Joshua next year, should the Briton win later tonight as well.
Sparks fly, wilder steps out, Wilder rapping to himself, cool and relaxed as he takes his time walking to the ring.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker up next
Saturday 23 December 2023 21:51 , Jack Rathborn
Here comes the New Zealander. Andy Lee follows the Kiwi as he walks to the ring.
Can he pull off the upset?
This should be fascinating, Wilder’s power is elusive, can he prove he’s as devastating as ever?
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker up next
Saturday 23 December 2023 21:49 , Jack Rathborn
Here’s Andy Ruiz Jr, who fought Joseph Parker back in 2014.
“It’s a 50-50 fight!”
Is it, Andy? Many would disagree, as good as Parker has been in his career. Wilder is a heavy favourite with the bookmakers.
Dmitry Bivol beats Lyndon Arthur by UD in light-heavyweight title duel
Saturday 23 December 2023 21:21 , Jack Rathborn
That’ll do it, Bivol was more assertive in the final six minutes, but Arthur survived!
Bivol still teasing the fans a little, glimpses of a special performance to cut through to the casual market.
He has all the skill, but there’ll be frustration tonight, since the Canelo win, momentum has failed to snowball.
All three judges give it to Bivol: 120-107 x 3.
Dmitry Bivol meets Lyndon Arthur in light-heavyweight title duel
Saturday 23 December 2023 21:18 , Jack Rathborn
Round 12
Bivol unleashing a hellacious combination, Arthur trapped on the ropes. Bivol throwing straight shots, can he find an uppercut to penetrate this tight guard.
A first knockout in six years is close!
That slashing left to the body finally penetrated Arthur’s resistance. The referee was close to stopping this. Now 90 seconds for the Briton to walk away with some pride.
Dmitry Bivol meets Lyndon Arthur in light-heavyweight title duel
Saturday 23 December 2023 21:15 , Jack Rathborn
Round 11
There’s some real debate about Bivol, his style and quality. Could he offset some control and deliver more entertainment?
This fight has dragged, and Arthur is poised to go the distance with this pound-for-pound star. A 1/25 favourite, a huge stage, can he finish with a bang?
YES! Body shots shatter Arthur’s resistance, he goes DOWN!
This one comes to life with one round remaining.
Dmitry Bivol meets Lyndon Arthur in light-heavyweight title duel
Saturday 23 December 2023 20:35 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Both fighters stand orthodox. Bivol applies pressure early. Lots of jabs from both men.
Bivol adds a decent right cross, with underdog Arthur backed up to the ropes. The Russian misses with a couple of left hooks now.
Still Bivol stalks the Briton. Well-timed left hook lands for him this time. Bivol blocks a pair of jabs at the end of the round, but he’ll still have felt those shots.
Round two
More forward pressure from Bivol, who sees a jab parried by Arthur but sneaks in his next effort.
Arthur fires back to try to gain some respect. Another jab snaps back Arthur’s head. Now Bivol ramps up the power, with a right cross and left hook which almost knocks the Briton off balance...
Bivol slows things down again, jabbing to the body before blocking a jab up top. Arthur has a brief spell on the front foot, but Bivol comes back with accuracy and volume!
Some great flashes from Bivol.
Dmitry Bivol meets Lyndon Arthur in light-heavyweight title duel
Saturday 23 December 2023 20:17 , Alex Pattle
Next up, pound-for-pound talent Dmitry Bivol is in action against Britain’s Lyndon Arthur.
Russian Bivol, who famously outpointed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2022, will defend his WBA light-heavyweight title against Arthur here. Meanwhile, Arthur puts the IBO belt on the line.
Arthur (23-1, 16 KOs) makes his ring walk first. The Mancunian is followed by Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), who is fittingly clad in gold.
Here we go! Twelve rounds scheduled.
Daniel Dubois beats Jarrell Miller in intriguing clash of heavyweights
Saturday 23 December 2023 20:05 , Alex Pattle
Lots of respect between Dubois and Miller in the aftermath of that absolute war. Nice to see after a bit of an antagonistic build, though Miller seemed to be having fun with most of those antics.
In any case, many fans will have been happy to see the American lose – and by stoppage – there, after his history of failed drug tests.
For Dubois, a big win – perhaps the best of his career so far, and a fine way to bounce back from his stoppage loss to Usyk.
Cristiano Ronaldo ringside at Joshua v Wallin fight in Saudi Arabia
Saturday 23 December 2023 20:00 , Alex Pattle
Cristiano Ronaldo ringside at Joshua v Wallin fight in Saudi Arabia
Daniel Dubois battles Jarrell Miller in intriguing clash of heavyweights
Saturday 23 December 2023 19:46 , Alex Pattle
Round nine
Great start to the round for Dubois! He tags Miller hard with a right hand and adds a left hook, sneaking it around Miller’s guard.
STILL Miller marauds forward... A clean right hook lands for Dubois, but there’s not much power behind this one.
The heavyweights grapple in close, before Miller lands a right hook to the body.
Short right cross by Dubois, then an uppercut to the body. Miller looks so tired, he’s teetering around.
A good collection of jabs by Dubois. Each man lands a right cross.
One round to go!
Round 10
Dubois is finishing strong! A few brilliant uppercuts and hooks from the young Briton! Miller is leaning back on the ropes, he’s staggering around, but he won’t go down!
IT DOESN’T MATTER! The referee steps in with about 10 seconds left! Dubois seals a TKO with an onslaught of hooks!
Jai Opetaia fights Ellis Zorro as Day of Reckoning clips along
Saturday 23 December 2023 17:36 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Twelve rounds scheduled. Opetaia stands southpaw, Zorro orthodox.
Heavy cross to the body by Opetaia, whose head is soon popped back by a decent counter jab.
Now Opetaia wings a left hook at the chest of Zorro. Again Opetaia loads up with a left cross to the body, before missing with a big swing upstairs!
Zorro again with a decent counter shot. OH!!!! BUT DOWN HE GOES!
Opetaia floors Zorro with a brutal left hook! And Zorro looks to be out, though his eyes are open...
He sits up, thank goodness.
Opetaia glanced low, totally deceiving Zorro before crushing the underdog with a sickening left hook.
Zorro fell back, with his head hitting the mat and the ropes as he landed.
It’s good to see Zorro standing and smiling as the result is read out.
Filip Hrgovic takes on Mark De Mori as Day of Reckoning continues
Saturday 23 December 2023 17:08 , Alex Pattle
Round one
The two heavyweights stand orthodox. De Mori is visibly the shorter man. Both boxers land left hooks at the same time, before Hrgovic backs up the veteran.
Now the heavyweights trade body shots. Hrgovic easily finds a right cross, then another just a couple of seconds later, and De Mori looks away before taking a knee!
He takes his time before standing, giving himself the best possible chance of recovering. He beats the count and even lands a nice overhand right, shortly thereafter!
Hrgovic gets right after him, though, pummeling the 41-year-old with right hands! He’s warned for landing a few to the back of the head, but De Mori is turning away...
After that warning, the action resumes, and Hrgovic again lands right hands at will! In comes the towel from De Mori’s corner! It’s all over!!
Filip Hrgovic takes on Mark De Mori as Day of Reckoning continues
Saturday 23 December 2023 17:03 , Alex Pattle
Next up, the unbeaten Filip Hrgovic takes on Australian veteran Mark De Mori!
De Mori, 41, is the biggest underdog on tonight’s card, so Hrgovic really could do with a statement win here.
The 31-year-old Croat, who has been touted as Anthony Joshua’s next opponent if “AJ” does not box Wilder, is full of potential but hasn’t always shown it.
Last time out, he stopped Demsey McKean (another Australian) in the 12th and final round, on the undercard of Joshua’s win over Robert Helenius in August.
Hrgovic, who also holds a controversial decision victory over Zhilei Zhang, is the IBF’s top-ranked heavyweight contender, meaning he could soon box the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Joshua could fight Hrgovic for that right...
Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa kicks off stacked Day of Reckoning fight card
Saturday 23 December 2023 16:47 , Alex Pattle
Round six
Fa skips forward, missing with his first jab but landing the second. Sanchez needs to increase his activity here.
He steps in with a jab but just misses. Good counter cross by the Cuban, though! Fa is sporting some bruising on his left cheek, by the way.
Now Sanchez jabs to the body, and the boxers clinch. They separate, and Sanchez lands another clean right hand! He follows up with a left hook that is wide of the mark, however.
Fa with his own right cross, and another, and a jab! Good little spell for the Kiwi here.
OH! BUT OUT OF NOWHERE, SANCHEZ WITH A CROSS THAT DROPS FA!
Fa wobbled, grimaced, and fell to his knees! He beats the referee’s count, just before the bell signals the end of the round!
Round seven
You get the feeling that Sanchez will land that shot again...
And he does!! Inside the first minute of this round! He follows up with a left hook as Fa begins to fall, and the Kiwi is down again!
Again Fa beats the referee’s count, but he’s in trouble here!
Clean one-two by Sanchez, with Fa’s back on the ropes... Fa’s legs look weak underneath him. He eats another right straight.
ANOTHER knockdown! Fa clings on to the top rope after he’s tagged hard by yet another right cross, but it doesn’t keep him up!
He stands, but the referee waves it off. Good call. There was no point in Fa sustaining more damage.
Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa kicks off stacked Day of Reckoning fight card
Saturday 23 December 2023 16:43 , Alex Pattle
Round five
We’re nearing the midway point of this bout.
Fa is still pressing forward, but he’s caught by Sanchez! The Cuban sees a left hook blocked but then sneaks that glove under Fa’s guard as an uppercut.
Now Sanchez with a heavy left hook to the body. Fa looks to get some respect back, jabbing at the favourite, but Sanchez is the more accurate boxer in that exchange with his own jab.
Sanchez blocks a cross but eats a jab. The heavyweights then briefly grapple, before the round ends with a sloppy combination from Sanchez, who ends up on his backside after being shoved while missing a couple of hooks!
Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa kicks off stacked Day of Reckoning fight card
Saturday 23 December 2023 16:26 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Ten rounds scheduled, how many will we see? We’re under way!
Both men stand orthodox. Fa takes the centre of the ring early. He sends out a long, lead hook, but Sanchez blocks and fires back with an overhand right.
Now a nice counter jab by Sanchez! Good timing and speed on show. Another sharp jab.
This time it’s Fa with an accurate jab, but his follow-up right cross misses as Sanchez retreats.
Sanchez with a jab to the body now.
Round two
A one-two seems to just about land for Fa; his subsequent jab definitely connects.
Sanchez is looking to close distance, but Fa is frustrating him with frequent jabs. Even when those jabs aren’t landing, they’re making life tricky for Sanchez.
Sanchez jabs to the body, then puts one on the chest of Fa. Again he gets behind the jab, following up with a grazing right cross.
Now he jabs to the body again.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin predictions: Boxing betting tips, odds and free bets
Saturday 23 December 2023 15:00 , Luke Baker
Anthony Joshua risks his shot at a massive heavyweight showdown with Deontay Wilder next year when he goes up against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.
AJ and Wilder are both on the bill for the ‘Day of Reckoning’ in Riyadh, one of the strongest overall cards we’ve ever seen, but it would have been even more special if they’d been facing each other.
The two men held different versions of the world heavyweight titles at the same time from April 2016 to June 2019 without ever getting in the ring together. Now, without the titles draped around their shoulders, they each face one final hurdle on Saturday before potentially squaring off next year.
The boxing betting sites have both men as heavy favourites for their bouts this weekend, and we’ve got predictions for Wilder’s bout with Joseph Parker.
Wilder is expected to do the business, as is Joshua, and here are our Joshua vs Wallin predictions and betting tips for tonight’s showdown in Saudi Arabia:
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin predictions: Boxing betting tips, odds and free bets
Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder become zombies: Inside the making of boxing’s Day of Reckoning trailer
Saturday 23 December 2023 14:30 , Luke Baker
Rotting skin is peeling off of Anthony Joshua’s face as he signs a blood contract with Eddie Hearn. Somewhere on the street outside, Deontay Wilder – relying on what little is left of his mind – careens a van around a corner before mowing down a zombie. In the passenger seat, promoter Frank Warren is hanging on for dear life; or he would be, if he was not already the embodiment of the living dead. Elsewhere in this post-apocalyptic, zombified town, Filip Hrgovic reaches into a glass and grabs his eyeball, before popping it back into his battered skull. Joseph Parker is staring into the distance, until suddenly he’s staring at you, having rotated his head 180 degrees atop his creaky spine. This, in case you were wondering, is the trailer for the Day of Reckoning boxing event.
On 23 December, the heavyweights above will compete in Saudi Arabia, all on one card and joined by Otto Wallin, Daniel Dubois, Jarrell Miller and more. On paper – and this event will print plenty of paper – it will be perhaps the most impressive concentration of boxing star power and talent ever on one night. In modern boxing, Joshua vs Wallin and Wilder vs Parker are main-event bouts, but their undercards would typically leave a lot to be desired. On 23 December, however, one of those main-event bouts will have to serve as the chief support, and the undercard will feature the likes of light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and Jai Opetaia (who may still be a cruiserweight world champion come fight night, unless he is forced to vacate his title).
And just as this impending gathering of boxers is unprecedented, the promotion has been, too. That is not only in the sense that bitter rivals Warren and Eddie Hearn were seen on stage together at the launch press conference for Day of Reckoning (the pair had never met until that day in November). The event poster depicts all of the biggest names from a fight card full of big names, sat around a table and staring up at the camera. It is an arresting visual, only outdone by this week’s zombie-themed trailer.
Inside the making of the bizarre but brilliant Day of Reckoning trailer
Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and the simple truth behind Saudi Arabia’s boxing revolution
Saturday 23 December 2023 09:00 , Luke Baker
At first it was Las Vegas, then Atlantic City and now Saudi Arabia is leading the latest boxing revolution.
The business of boxing is simple: build something, find the heavyweights, in this case Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and several others, find the money and they will come. It really is that easy.
It was casino cash in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and now it is investment money from the government that has attracted the boxers, their entourages, promoters, fixers, floaters and other assorted characters in the boxing circus to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In the Seventies when Las Vegas opened the vault and the Eighties when Atlantic City’s bloody history started, there were fears that boxing would be isolated forever; the worry was that the cash wall, provided by the deep vaults at the casinos, would end free trade. The same false fears have been raised over the ambitions of the current boxing regime in Saudi Arabia. The brutal truth is that it is the responsibility of promoters all over the world to get their act together to compete for the big fights.
Read Steve Bunce’s full analysis of the Saudi boxing revolution:
Joshua, Wilder and the simple truth behind Saudi Arabia’s boxing revolution
