Anthony Joshua delivered an outstanding performance, securing a victory over Otto Wallin before the fight reached its full duration. However, Deontay Wilder’s surprising loss on points to Joseph Parker disrupted the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown.
In Saudi Arabia, Nigerian-British boxer Joshua showcased brilliant boxing skills, dominating Wallin until the Swede’s corner stopped the fight at the fifth round’s conclusion.
Meanwhile, American boxer Wilder seemed a diminished version of himself in Riyadh, facing significant trouble in the eighth round as New Zealand’s Parker claimed a unanimous decision victory.
“I heard that Deontay lost. So what? He’ll be back. Deontay, everything that he said about me, I could rip him apart right now, but I’m going to take the higher ground,” Joshua said.
“You can come back. If he wanted to, he can come back. I’m sure everyone still wants to see that fight.”
Parker, a former world champion himself, received a unanimous decision victory with judges scoring it 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108.
The organizers in Saudi Arabia had tentatively scheduled the Joshua-Wilder bout for the following year. Although there was no signed contract, it was anticipated that both fighters would step into the ring after the match and reveal an agreement to fight in early 2024.
Wilder confessed that the prolonged discussions about a fight, brewing for at least five years, had been “distracting,” despite Joshua performing exceptionally. Post-fight, promoter Eddie Hearn indicated that Joshua is likely to face Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF world title in pursuit of becoming a three-time world champion.
However, as the situation settles in Riyadh, many boxing enthusiasts will feel disappointed as the prospect of Joshua versus Wilder slips away once again.
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