All the details of the 'mega show' on December 23 in Riyadh
Queensberry Promotions and Riyadh Season have invited the media to attend a major press conference in London tomorrow, on November 15, to announce a mega show on December 23 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. And then, on Thursday, the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight will be announced for February 17, 2024, so it's a big week for fight news.
Rumours have been circulating for many weeks and now the public will finally receive an official announcement tomorrow, but what do we know so far about the 'Mega Show in the Middle East' taking place on Christmas Eve-Eve?
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin
Two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (26-3, 23KO) is reportedly due to face Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin (26-1, 14KO) in what will be a troligy decider.
AJ and Wallin met twice in the amateurs and both times the Londoner got the better of the Swede, so there will be a chance at redemption and revenge for the Scandinavian. As an amateur, young Joshua defeated Wallin in the final of the 2010 Haringey Box Cup, then he flew to Sweden the next year to beat him again, both times via UD.
The 32-year-old from Sweden, ranked IBF #2, is known for giving WBC king Tyson Fury one of the biggest scares of his career back in 2019, cutting 'The Gypsy King' with a punch during their 12-round fight in Vegas, which later required 47 stitches.
With the history between them there's a backstory to discuss and analyze. Each of these heavyweights will have already downloaded data from each other from their fights, and also by being sparring partners before, so that could all add towards making the matchup closer.
There's also a statement to be made by AJ. If he can defeat the rough and tough heavyweight, who is a former European champion, in a more convincing manner than his domestic rival, who lost four rounds to him on one of the scorecards, then it will make a future showdown with Fury even spicier.
Wallin has won six on the spin since that sole career defeat to Fury, with some respectable name scalped, such as Murat Gassiev in his last fight in September.
AJ only fought one month prior to Wallin in August, knocking out 'Nordic Nightmare' Robert Helenius in sensational fashion in round seven. The Finnish fighter stepped in at the last minute after Dillian Whyte failed a drugs test, but the 39-year-old was never a real threat.
Joshua has now won two on the bounce since back to back defeats from Usyk, banking a valuable 12 rounds against the credible contender, Jermaine Franklin, where he displayed his improved boxing ability and brain, followed by a stunning KO to remind rivals of his explosive power.
This fight has been met with a bit of disappointment from fight fans already, but that's only because they were hungry for Joshua-Wilder, which will reportedly take place next year alongside Fury-Usyk.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
The American is already in London ready for this fight announcement.
By the time the festive fight rolls around, 'The Bronze Bomber' would have been out of the ring for 14 months. His last appearance was in October 2022 at his Brooklyn stomping ground, The Barclays Center, which saw him obliterate sparring partner and good friend Robert Helenius in one round.
Even though he was one-half of one of modern heavyweight boxing's greatest trilogies, it's been a travesty that he has only fought once per year in recent times. In fact, he has only fought one professional round in over two years!
Former WBO World champion, Parker, has been campaigning to get back to a world title for years, but a loss to Joe Joyce last year set him back again. However, since he lost his world title to Anthony Joshua over five years ago in 2018, he has only lost once in 10 bouts, and has scalped Derek Chisora twice in 2021, and most recently Simon Kean via knockout, in Riyadh last month.
He has been mixing it at a very high level and won't be out of place against Wilder. The fearsome puncher and former long-reigning WBC titleholder is already favoured to knock the Kiwi out, but this experienced campaigner who spars countless rounds with Tyson Fury will get the blueprint from his friend, which will make this an intruiging contest. Parker has the ability to outbox Wilder, but has to stay away from the Alabaman's right hand bombs. If Fury got caught by them, then Parker will do too.
Daniel Dubois vs Jarrell Miller
World title contender Daniel Dubois gets straight back into the mix less than four months on from his knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk in August. Despite falling short for the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO World titles, the WBA Regular champion had some success in the early rounds. The Londoner, and his promoter Frank Warren, were both very angry after the fight when they believed they saw his body punch land cleanly and legally on Usyk, who was allowed five minutes to recover from the 'low blow', but an investigation into the fight ruled that there was no foul play on the champion's part.
Dubois was peppered by Usyk's superior workrate and accuracy all fight long and eventually succombed to a jab to lose the fight. However, going nine rounds with a pound-for-pound great will be invaluable experience for him, but the question marks over his heart and bravery were raised yet again, three years after he was accused of 'quitting' against Joe Joyce.
Undefeated Jarrell Miller has won all three fights since returning from his ban in 2022. The 'Big Baby' from New York has an 85% KO ratio and Dubois' is higher at 95%, so this fight will be extremely enticing to fight fans.
Once again, there has been some disgruntlement voiced over this fight, but, as a supporting bout, it's an attractive heavyweight clash.
Dmitriy Bivol vs Richie Rivera
Russian master Dmitriy Bivol (21-0, 11KO) defends his WBA light-heavyweight bauble to Richie Rivera (25-1, 19KO).
The popular 'Popeye The Sailor Man' has only lost once, a very close split decision defeat to Badou Jack in 2022, but the 32-year-old has reeled off four victories within eight months between December last year and July 2023. He was taken the 10-round distance in his first fight of this year, but also scored two first round KOs and a second-round KO.
The WBA titleholder is on a collision course with Artur Beterbiev, but first he has to defend against challenger Rivera in his 10th world title defence.
Fans have already dismissed this fight, assuming the unbeaten champion will get through the WBA #5 with relative ease.
Martin Bakole vs TBA
Martin Bakole (20-1, 15KO) has been hunting down his elusive world title shot for some time now, currently ranked in the top 15 with the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO. Only beaten once, by Michael Hunter in 2018, a win in Saudi will see him reach 10 fights unbeaten.
He is rumoured to fight Filip Hrgovic, and could take his place as the IBF mandatory, but it's unlikely the undefeated Croatian will risk his madatory position.
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