- Joshua wins, Wilder upset
- Potential March bout uncertain
- Parker dominates, Wilder defeated
The two fighters had contrasting results in Saudi Arabia during a doubleheader that was supposed to build up a March bout between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. Each was involved in one-sided bouts that generated significant media attention for entirely different motives.
In a heavyweight doubleheader held in Saudi Arabia on the same evening, Anthony Joshua emerged victorious, whereas rival Deontay Wilder was upset by an unexpected loss.
Joshua, 34, who was deemed the favourite prior to the bout, defeated opponent Otto Wallin, 33, in five rounds with one of his finest displays of recent memory, extending his winning streak to three this year.
In contrast, the underdog Joseph Parker of New Zealand dominated 38-year-old Wilder, who has won 42 of his 43 career bouts via knockout and is regarded as one of the hardest strikers in boxing history.
It was anticipated that Saturday’s doubleheader would set up a March bout between Wilder and Joshua. The British fighter maintained that a bout remains possible despite the Bronze Bomber’s unexpected loss.
“He may return tomorrow to fight if he so chooses,” he said, adding that he could “rip him apart right now.” “It is up to him and I am sure everybody still wants to see that fight.”
Joshua Dominates Wallin, Wilder Upset by Parker
Joshua cruised to his 27th career victory after defeating Jermaine Franklin Jr. by unanimous decision in April. He also defeated Robert Helenius in August via seventh-round stoppage.
As early as the second round, he inflicted damage on Wallin after bursting from the blocks in Riyadh.
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Joshua was landing menacing blows on Wallin by the fifth round, and the Swede’s corner called time on the bout at the conclusion of the quarter. Wallin offered little in response.
Wilder was similarly defeated by Parker, who utilised a well-executed game plan. Parker disclosed that Wilder had been training with Tyson Fury, the only opponent to have defeated Wilder prior to Saturday.
As the eighth round began, Parker held a commanding lead on the scorecard. In that round, he delivered a flurry of strikes, including an overhand right, which Wilder managed to withstand.
The New Zealander maintained his composure throughout the tenth and eleventh rounds, until a desperate Wilder charged out in the final attempt to put him out.
Parker, however, never appeared to be at risk of losing to the former WBC champion. He pulled off a monumental upset, with the judges awarding the 31-year-old 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108 in his advantage.
“A little bit of timing was off,” Wilder explained. “He performed admirably in evading the majority of my blows. Although I believed I had the upper hand, circumstances changed. We proceed to the following phase.”
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