Heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will fight on the same card at a December 23 event in Saudi Arabia, the idea being to set up a future showdown between the pair.
Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are scheduled to fight on the same card in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
Throughout 2023, it had been rumored that the pair were close to agreeing a deal to square off in a mammoth heavyweight showdown in the Middle East.
However, the focus for the start of the Riyadh season soon became Tyson Fury’s clash with Francis Ngannou, seemingly leaving Joshua and Wilder to search for other avenues.
Instead, it was revealed on Wednesday at a press conference that Joshua would meet Otto Wallin and Wilder would go up against Joseph Parker in separate bouts.
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 15, 2023
Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, is facing an opponent in Wallin who has just defeated former cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev.
Meanwhile, ex-WBC king Wilder will meet former WBO title holder Parker, the New Zealander being far more active than the hard-punching American who has fought just once in two years.
𝐃𝐄𝐂 𝟐𝟑 ✅ @anthonyjoshua vs. @OttoWallin@BronzeBomber vs. @joeboxerparker #DayOfReckoning | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/auqaby9Z6z
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 15, 2023
On a packed, star-studded card that features a range of fighters from different promotional companies, Daniel Dubois will fight Jarrell Miller in another highly-anticipated heavyweight clash.
Filip Hrgovic, the IBF mandatory challenger, plans to tick over against former David Haye opponent Mark de Mori, while WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol puts his belt on the line against England’s Lyndon Arthur.
Ellis Zorro, another British fighter, will challenge IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opataia, with highly-rated heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov meeting Agit Kabayel.
Like Makhmudov, fellow heavyweight Frank Sanchez will be looking to put himself in contention for a big fight against Junior Fa.
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