Anthony Joshua rolls, Deontay Wilder falls, Joseph Parker shines in Riyadh heavyweight showdown
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Riyadh: Riyadh's Kingdom Arena witnessed a stellar performance from British heavyweight Anthony Joshua as he rolled back the years in a commanding victory over Otto Wallin. The 34-year-old secured his third win of 2023 with a spectacular stoppage in the fifth round, leaving Wallin unable to continue.
Joshua, who previously defeated Jermaine Franklin Jr and Robert Helenius in 2023, showcased his prowess in the ring, dictating the fight from the centre and landing powerful blows. The 'Day of Reckoning' event drew attention not only for Joshua's triumph but also for the presence of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and former UFC champion Conor McGregor ringside.
Despite twice beating Wallin on points as an amateur, Joshua remained humble, emphasizing his focus on each opponent. "Not a throwback fight, just another fight. I respect Otto, and I need to focus on the man in front of me," Joshua commented on his performance.
In a surprising turn of events on the same evening, Joseph Parker secured a unanimous points decision against former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. The judges scored the non-title fight 118-111, 118-110, 120-108 in Parker's favour, possibly derailing the anticipated clash between Wilder and Joshua.
Speculation had surrounded the potential matchup between the Wilder-Joshua winner and the victor of the February clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, holders of the major world heavyweight titles. However, Parker, a former WBO title-holder, demonstrated his superiority in defeating Wilder comprehensively.
Wilder, now 43-3 with 1 draw and 42 knockouts, acknowledged his timing was off and praised Parker's defensive skills. When asked about the distraction of the talk regarding a Joshua fight, Wilder admitted it played a role but asserted, "We make no excuses. We'll be back for sure."
Despite the setback, Wilder expressed contentment with his financial management and investments, indicating he would return to the ring soon. Whether or not a Wilder-Joshua clash is in the cards, the heavyweight division remains as unpredictable and thrilling as ever.
