Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER suffered a shock defeat to Joseph Parker with the New Zealander scoring an impressive points win in Saudi Arabia.The loss is likely to be extremely costly for Wilder, who was set to fight Anthony Joshua in a nine-figure fight at some point in 2024 – that fight is now in deep jeopardy with the expectation that it will NOT go ahead.
Parker was a rank outsider with the bookies but dominated the fight from the first bell, with Wilder uncharacteristically hesitant throughout.

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Bronze Bomber gets it all wrong
This fight was all about setting up a showdown with Anthony Joshua.
It seems the ‘Bronze Bomber’ got it all wrong and did not address the elephant in the room first of all, Joseph Parker.
We have never seen such a conservative approach to a fight from Wilder and it cost him dearly.
His tactics worked into Parker’s plans and he delivered.
Credit: Getty
Parker shocks the boxing world
Nobody gave Joseph Parker a chance in this fight but he had his tactics perfect and with the approach of Wilder it all fitted into place.
Deontay Wilder seemed to give his opponent too much respect and only started opening up his hands in the final round, when it was all too late.
It is only the third time Wilder has gone the twelve rounds.
Parker worked hard for this fight and now he is reaping his rewards.
Credit: Getty
Joseph Parker wins by unanimous decision
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Twelve)
This is the last chance saloon for Deontay Wilder.
Joseph Parker comes forward, looking to take the last round to Wilder.
Wilder is throwing lefts and rights hoping to land something big.
He’s surely left this too late, he swings a massive right but just catches air.
Wilder comes forward with that right hand locked and loaded, Parker comes in with the jab to catch him unawares.
Parker soaks it up for the last thirty seconds and has surely sent shockwaves through the division.
Wilder raises his hand as the bell goes and is celebrating, not sure what fight he has been watching.
Credit: Getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Eleven)
Parker is two rounds from a huge upset here.
He just needs to manage these last two rounds and expect that big right from Wilder.
Parker is dipping his head to get under it all the time.
He is turning Wilder’s advantage in height and reach into a negative.
The corner of Wilder are trying to get their fighter to up the pace.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Ten)
With each round that goes by, more pressure is on Wilder.
He is more than capable of that one shot that could end this.
Wilder catches Parker with a big hook, it’s blocked but Parker still felt it.
Parker needs to keep letting his hands go or he allows Wilder to work a position for that big right.
As Wilder comes in with that big right, Parker manages to get underneath it.
Credit: AFP
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Nine)
That last round was the best of the night.
Parker really hurt Wilder and catches him with punches again.
Wilder has no reply and these punches are hurting him.
This is not what anyone was expecting from this fight tonight.
Parker is controlling this fight.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Eight)
The problem Wilder has now is that Parker could lose the rest of the rounds left and still win this fight.
All he needs to look out for is being hit with that big Wilder right.
In reality, that is all Wilder has now to win this fight.
The danger is the rounds are running out for Deontay Wilder.
When he does come through and land, Parker counters and hits him with a big shot too.
Towards the end of the round, Parker lands punch after punch and has Wilder in the corner, his legs are gone.
The bell saves him on this occasion.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Seven)
Due to his size, when Parker comes inside he gets Wilder all wrapped up on the ropes.
Wilder needs space to get those long arms mobile.
It ‘s a good tactic by Parker is certainly working so far.
Wilder comes in and goes with the big right but it goes straight over the top of Parker.
That was more like the Deontay Wilder we are used to.
Parker then lands a big right and Wilder stumbles back a little bit.
Credit: Getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Six)
The message from Parker’s corner must be to keep doing what you are.
Wilder is banking on getting something special to win this.
Parker meanwhile, is landing some good combos.
The fans ringside are loving it when Parker opens up and comes inside to force Wilder back onto the ropes.
He is trying throw an overhand right and it is getting closer to connecting with Wilder.
The more he hits Wilder, he goes a bit reckless on the counter.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Five)
The pundits have this four rounds to none for Parker.
He comes forward again and lands punches as Wilder is forced on the backfoot.
This waiting game of Wilder’s is not working and just allowing Parker to dictate this fight.
Parker continues to land the shots, all scoring on the card.
Wilder is only looking for a knockout here and is definitely not concerning himself with all these rounds he is losing.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Four)
Finally this fight opens up.
Parker comes inside and lands a combo and Wilder reacts in kind throwing some big punches.
It looks like he felt Parker’s hits and it made him think he needs to up his game or he could get hurt here.
Joseph Parker is growing in confidence seeing his punches get through.
He comes forward once again, pinning Wilder back onto the ropes.
Parker definitely took that round.
Credit: Getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Three)
Parker seems set to come inside and if he does not connect he is looking smother Wilder so he cannot get big hits off.
Wilder starts coming forward with jab.
Parker goes for the big shot over the top but does not connect.
Deontay Wilder starts to open up a bit more towards the end of the round.
Joseph Parker lands a good right just before the bell.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Two)
Parker comes in with a jab to the body.
Wilder is staying back, biding his time, trying to work Parker out.
It seems weird not seeing the high tempo, let’s get this done approach from Wilder.
As Parker comes in close, Wilder looks to get some hits in, both to the body.
That is the danger of Parker looking to come inside, but something he has to do as Wilder has the longer reach of the two boxers by some distance.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round One)
Parker looks to hold the middle of the ring.
He is more than aware of the danger of Wilder’s big hits.
It is all pretty cagey in the opening round, Parker comes in going for the hit over the top but Wilder dodges it.
This is very much two boxers feeling each other out here.
Credit: Getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
This is the one many have been waiting for.
Parker will have to deal with raw power of the ‘bomb squad’.
Friend of Tyson Fury, Parker will have had some advice from him.
Glitz and glamour lies ahead
We are heading towards to the big ticket fights now.
Two fights left now, Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker.
We have some good boxing so far this evening but these co-main events are the money-makers we have been waiting for.
Bivol wants to unify division in 2024
With Saudi Arabia looking to get all the big fight, Dmitry Bivol says that now he has two belts, he wants the third.
He now holds both the IBO and WBA Super World Light Heavyweight titles.
Eddie Hearn said it is the next natural fight for Bivol and he will be looking to make that happen.
You could see how much it meant to Bivol to have that second belt draped over him.
Credit: Getty
Dmitry Bivol wins by unanimous decision
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Twelve)
Dmitry Bivol starts the round in positive fashion.
Landing a flurry of shots with no reply from Arthur.
The referee is in there keeping a close eye.
That was some great boxing by Bivol unloading his hands finally.
It is all over, Arthur has made it to the end of the fight.
A very one-sided performance but the Brit has gone up against one of the best pound for pound boxers in the game here.
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Eleven)
Bivol keeps up with his technical boxing, controlling this bout.
He knows if he opens up too freely, Arthur could counter and land something.
Dmitry Bivol just seems to be going through the motions, knowing he controlling this fight.
He finally sends Arthur to the canvas with a big body shot.
Credit: Reuters
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Ten)
You have to wonder whether Arthur is just looking to go the distance.
Going twelve rounds with the defending champion may look good on his resume.
It can be misleading though if there is no attacking boxing and just you being used as a walking, talking punchbag for the duration.
Dmitry Bivol almost seems content to continue with his patient style taking this to a unanimous decision.
The champ keeps landing jabs but they are never going to knock someone down at this level.
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Nine)
All these punches are wearing down Lyndon Arthur.
Dmitry Bivol is trying to work the body more to open up his guard.
When he gets him on the ropes, he is unloading the combinations.
Often he gets too close and gives himself no room to fire off the big hits.
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Eight)
As it stands, Arthur’s only hope in this fight is a sucker punch.
Bivol still bides his time, trying to draw a boxer in who is not looking to attack.
Dmitry Bivol needs to stamp his authority on this fight more.
There is no doubt he is going to keep his title but people will analyse how he has not put this guy down.
Arthur landed a good body shot in that round which Bivol definitely seemed to feel.
Much better round for Arthur, even got a two punch combo through.
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Seven)
We will get to a stage here where Bivol just wants to get this done.
It will not look good on his resume somebody who is not looking to win a fight taking him the distance.
Bivol is mixing it up, trying to break through Arthur’s defence.
Pushing him up against the ropes, throwing big hooks, trying to get one through. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is facing tricky southpaw Otto Wallin TONIGHT to top a huge fight night in Saudi Arabia – and there’s not long now to wait! Wallin famously gave Tyson Fury an almighty scare back in 2019 when the Gypsy King was making his boxing comeback.
And there has been a huge shock on the undercard so far, with Daniel Dubois stopping Jarrell Miller in the dying seconds of their thriller.

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‘I stayed calm, relaxed, stayed focused’
Joseph Parker, speaking to DAZN: “I have a lot of respect for Wilder but we trained very hard for this. Everyone had other plans but this is God’s plan.
“I was really fit. I stayed calm, relaxed, stayed focused. There’s always things to work on but I got the win. Merry Christmas to us.
“He did catch me a few times on the guard and it’s very hard. If it landed clean then it could be a different story. Working with Andy and George and not getting out of shape was important.
“This is massive and the best opponent I’ve ever faced. Tyson Fury gave us his time with sparring and was massively important.”
Credit: getty
The main event
One fight remaining, and it’s the big one! Anthony Joshua returns to the ring against Otto Wallin at the Kingdom Arena. Standby.
That winning moment
Joseph Parker celebrates as he claims shock victory over Deontay Wilder on Day of Reckoning undercard
‘Did a great job’
“No excuses tonight,” says Deontay Wilder. That retreat he went on clearly works because he’s showing great humility and leaves with high spirits.
Really was quite strange that interview. One commentator called him ‘delusional’ for being happy and thinking he did enough to win the right despite losing every round. Another said he’s ‘content’ after hearing him speak about how well he’s invested his money.
I’m really not sure we’ll be seeing him in the ring again.
Parker reacts
“Everyone had plans, other plans, but this is God’s plan,” says Joseph Parker, who’s kind of an expert in winning with humility. The kind of guy that knocks you down and takes you to the hospital.
Parker clearly referring to the planning of Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua next March. Everyone suggesting the fight was done and dusted, but he’s now thrown a huge spanner in the works.

Joseph Parker beats Deontay Wilder on points
118-111, 118-110, 120-108 to Joseph Parker. It’s a unanimous decision and it righty goes the way of the Kiwi.
Deontay Wilder shook his head a bit, but didn’t look too shocked by that. Perhaps that fist in the air was an attempt to sway the minds of the judges. Who knows.
Credit: getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
I’d be stunned if this is anything other than a unanimous points victory for Joseph Parker. Still waiting on that decision…
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 12
Deontay Wilder is warned for a couple of hammer punches to the back of Joseph Parker’s head during the clinch. That’s desperate stuff from the American.
More desperate stuff as he wildly swings like a punter at last orders. Must have missed by two feet with that one.
Parker making sure he clinches and stays there for as long as humanly possible. He does look tired though with 60 seconds left on the clock. Can he see this out?!
Ding ding! That’s it folks. The bell rings and there are celebrations in the ring.
However, those celebrations are coming from both camps. Wilder is pumping his fist and playing to the crowd — does he really think he’s won that?
It goes to the judges.
Credit: getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 11
Joseph Parker doesn’t look to be troubled by anything Deontay Wilder is throwing. Didn’t think I would be writing that tonight.
Parker just has to avoid doing anything silly. He’s done the hard yards, now just see it home.
And he certainly does that in Round 11. Wilder is aimlessly throwing wild shots but nothing has landed. Parker is three minutes away from perhaps the biggest scalp of his career.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 10
Deontay Wilder now 6/1 to win this with two rounds remaining. It’s not exactly a secret, but he’s going to need a knockout to win this one.
44/17 punch count in favour of Joseph Parker to this point. I was expecting a big surge from the American in this round but he’s blowing a bit. Nothing of much note in that round.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 9
Deontay Wilder’s knees keep locking. He’s on borrowed time here but Joseph Parker is staying disciplined. Just the occasional leading right to keep his opponent on the back foot.
Not 100% sure what Joe Parker is waiting for though. Surely this is his moment? Wilder started to find his feet in the final 20 seconds and let off some vicious looking swings that didn’t connect.
“Let’s do this,” Wilder says in his corner. That sounded ominous.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 8
Hold on a minute. What happens if Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua both lose tonight? Does that mean we’re getting Joseph Parker vs Otto Wallin in March instead?
WOW! Parker with an incredible attack! The Kiwi fires one off one of those overhand rights that leaves Wilder wobbling on already shaken legs. He senses his moment and follows with a flurry of punches. He went hell for leather to get the finish – but the bell saves Wilder.
Will this last another round?!
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 7
There were just a few signs that Deontay Wilder would let his hands go towards the end of that last round. He did not kick on.
It feels dangerous to say because he can end this in an instant, but he’s looking every bit a 38-year-old heavyweight who’s fought once in 18 months right now.
Huge hit from Parker! Wilder leaves himself wide open, and the Kiwi lands a heavy looping overhand right to the chin of his opponent. The American takes it well enough but his return fire is miles off the target.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 6
Jab up, jab down. Nothing groundbreaking from Joseph Parker but it’s a heck of a lot more than Deontay Wilder’s doing.
Just hearing the commentator asking what’s Plan B for Wilder.
Plan B? Plan B is Plan A and that’s it!
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 5
Most seem to have Joseph Parker winning every round until this point. Deontay Wilder seems to just be avoiding conflict and not engaging with anything of his own.
He’s waiting for the ideal moment, but what happens if it never arrives?
Parker continues to dominate the middle of the ring and clips the American with a cracking snapshot on the cheek.
Another round in the bank for Parker.
Of course, Deontay Wilder doesn’t fight to win rounds. He lost virtually every minute of that clash with Luis Ortiz before doing the business. Parker has to be perfect, Wilder just needs that one golden moment.
Credit: getty
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 4
Joseph Parker decides he’s fed up of the cautious stuff and lands a lovely combination. He’s closing the gap slightly now and looking for the right hand.
Deontay Wilder’s timing is well off as he looks to return, but he’s throwing a few more jabs to find it, as well as the distance.
Parker attacks like a sprinter in the dying seconds of the round with a few attempted power shots. The Kiwi fancies this. He likes his chances.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 3
It’s actually quite strange to see Deontay Wilder being so cautious. Almost more worrying that he’s waiting for something — some chink that he’s seen in Joseph Parker’s armour.
Another fairly uneventful round passes.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 2
Joseph Parker straight out with a jab to the stomach. Nothing too damaging but with Deontay Wilder having thrown nothing – it could be crucial to winning the round on the judges scorecards.
Neither fighter is prepared to close the gap, just the occasional dip in to throw a straight one. You get the sense viewers are starting to wonder what they signed up for, but I’m sure there’s fireworks to come.
How about that then, boos and jeers at the end of the round. “You’ve got two rounds in the bag,” says Joseph Parker’s trainer in the corner.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 1
Joseph Parker’s trainer Andy Lee has been saying all week that they are going to fight fire with fire.
Deontay Wilder responded by telling Parker to bring a pillow and blanket, because he’s getting put to sleep.
And has there been any fireworks in Round 1?
Nope. It’s a feeling out process. Parker staying well away from that thunderous right hand as Wilder sidesteps his way around the ring, stalking his opponent and waiting for his moment.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
He’s just a scary bloke. Deontay Wilder punches like a horse kicks, and Robert Helenius can testify to that when being KO’d in the first round during their clash back in October 2022.
But… he is 38. He’s fought once since that defeat to Tyson Fury in 2021. Could he be vulnerable to a more technical and in-form Parker?
They really are trying to ramp up the atmosphere inside the stadium, but it’s not quite there. Certainly not what you would expect of a card of this magnitude.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
The pair are making their way to the ring now.
Joseph Parker enters first to a tune I’ve not heard before and don’t particularly care for.
And here comes Wilder. No suit weighing him down this time, but he IS wearing a crown. I’m not going to argue with him about that.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder vs former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
It seems to be everyone’s ‘big tip’ for an upset tonight with Parker available at 9/2 to clinch a victory, and in doing so spoil that big AJ fight in March.
It’s understandable.
Parker has won three fights on the bounce since his loss to Joe Joyce, and his work with trainer Andy Lee seems to be having a really positive effect. We saw that with his KO win over Simon Kean back in October.
But, as ever, he’s in there with the most devastating puncher in boxing history.
Credit: getty
Surprise
Frank Warren thinks we could see a couple of upsets in the last two fights. And I’m certain he’s not just saying that to boost PPV numbers.
He said: “Wallin seems very confident, quietly confident, and AJ does as well.
“For AJ, this is make or break and I’m not being critical or anything, but it’s about what does he have left in the tank, what has he got, can he get himself a seat at the table this year.
“And the same goes for Wilder, he has been out for two years, he’s had one fight in between which was a one rounder, Joe Parker had a really good win last time out.
“So, these are really going to be competitive fights, they certainly are on paper.”
I have been taking a psychedelic South American drug
No, I’m not confessing to that. That’s private.
But the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has preparing for Saudi Arabian debut against former world champion Joseph Parker in a rather alternative fashion.
Wilder has been working on self-improvement through psychedelic medicines in a certified centre in Costa Rica.
He said the ayahuasca retreat has made him “one of the happiest men alive” and “more sensitive”.
“Ah man, ayahuasca has been… man it’s been one of the top things in my life that I’m glad that I’ve experienced,” Wilder said.
“One of the best journeys to experience, it’s been a beautiful thing for me and if you ask my wife she’ll say that it made me more sensitive, and she’s probably right, but it also made me happier as well.”
How much is said retreat? Asking for a friend.
Credit: getty
It’s signed
It’s not signed.
Heavyweight rivals Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder were reportedly said to have agreed a two-fight deal to face each other, according to boxing correspondent Dan Rafael.
The clash was supposed to take place on March 9, and still might providing they both come through their contests unscathed.
But it ain’t done until it’s done. More