Joshua v Wallin LIVE: Eddie Hearn casts doubt on Wilder fight in post-fight interview
‘AJ’ produced a stunning display to force a corner stoppage of Otto Wallin after a disastrous night for Deontay Wilder
Anthony Joshua shone at the Day of Reckoning in Saudi Arabia to breathe new life into his pursuit of a third world heavyweight title after victory over Otto Wallin.
On a bumper card in Riyadh, as the Gulf state continues its boxing revolution, Joshua stopped the Swede after five rounds, holding up his end of the bargain ahead of a bumper 2024 for the sport in the region.
But Deontay Wilder was upset by Joseph Parker, who was dominant over 12 rounds against the lacklustre American, whose future is now in major doubt.
Elsewhere on the card, pound-for-pound star Dmitry Bivol struggled to put away Briton Lyndon Arthur and was forced to settle for a points win to retain his WBA light-heavyweight title in anticipation of an undisputed title fight against the winner of Artur Beterbiev v Callum Smith. Daniel Dubois also impressed, outclassing the controversial Jarrell Miller to produce a spectacular stoppage to revitalise his career after a crushing defeat to Joe Joyce and a stoppage to Oleksandr Usyk. Follow all the latest reaction from Riyadh - plus get the latest tips and betting advice here.
Joseph Parker on the brink of major upset after outboxing Deontay Wilder
Wilder lifted his hand in celebration at the final bell. Deluded or just an instinctive move.
Wilder surely didn’t win more than one round, Indy Sport gives Parker the nod on our card: 120-108.
Activity has been the downfall for Wilder, it seems. The Joshua fight is surely in major doubt for 2024.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 12
Here we go then, Parker rushing into Wilder, who hammers away while the pair wrap up.
Chris Mannix on DAZN has given every round to Parker. Indy Sport has the contest 110-99 to Parker.
Wilder swinging, can he find the magic shot to change this?
Parker still pushing, he’s been excellent, the big upset is so close...
He’s done it, surely, Wilder was so poor, but raised his hand anyway!
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 11
It’s so close for Parker now, two rounds...
Is Wilder still dangerous this deep into the fight? He has proven it in the past, but Parker has been well clear of danger throughout the contest. Now the pair are tied up.
Wilder’s corner now pleading with him to put the foot on the accelerator. Jab, big right... But it’s too slow. Parker slips so well.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 10
A bull rush from Parker, it’s effective as Wilder refuses to punish him when he closes the distance.
The trilogy with Fury has clearly sapped something from the American.
A big right uppercut from Wilder, but Parker came over the top with a shot of his own.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 9
That was a huge right hand from Parker, the punch of the fight. Wilder must come out strong here. His heavyweight title ambitions hanging by a thread.
Parker goes for the big right once more.
Wilder still waiting, refusing to let his hands go. Has he got old overnight, as the saying goes. But Wilder is finally on the front foot at the end of this round. A big right loops over the top. The crowd is on edge, still, but Parker can afford to be conservative now.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 8
Wilder yet to switch up his strategy, an uppercut misses, but then Parker hesitates and takes a big right hand.
Will his sluggish start remotely matter once he introduces that power to Parker’s chin?
Back to the outside, though, Parker recovered and grasping the centre of the ring once more.
Jab, jab, jab. Parker up, down, up. DRAMA!
Wilder in huge trouble! Chaos here as Parker goes for the knockout!
Wilder is all over the place, the legs have gone and the crowd love this, wild shouts and screams around the arena.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 7
A clean sweep for Parker then. But he surely has to go the distance and there are 18 more dangerous minutes.
Now a jab snaps Wilder’s head back.
Parker leads total punches landed through six rounds: 35-16. It’s not been a high-volume type of fight. But Parker won’t care.
That squat stance, pushing the jab out, then varying the depth. Wilder cannot get a grip so far.
A big right hand bounces off Wilder’s head, forcing the American to respond. A risk or two needed now, it’s slipping away.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 6
Andy Lee is a happy trainer: “You're winning every round. You haven't even tried hard yet.”
Wilder must change things up. Darren Barker adds: “He has to let his hands go soon, come on, show us, show us why you’re called Dr Sleep. I’m not sure there is a Plan B? Plan B is Plan A. This is far too easy for Parker.”
A stiff jab from Parker, that’s smart work. Wilder steps forward, reckless, a big right blocked while Parker bounces off the ropes.
Both men tied up towards the end of the round, but Parker still banks the round. 60-54 for Indy Sport.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 5
Chris Mannix on DAZN has this four rounds to none in favour of Parker, Indy Sport agrees with that verdict.
But Wilder is so dangerous until the very end. Parker still jabbing to the stomach, forcing Wilder to move and stay out of range.
Now a right hand from Parker, more punches landed, another round surely for the underdog.
Parker with a wink to his corner, confidence growing.
Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker in heavyweight fight
Round 4
Here we go! Parker with a big shot and it sparks Wilder into life!
Parker wants to land that right, Wilder getting his jab going and then wraps his arms around the New Zealander after another right lunging in.
Now a huge right thrown by Wilder, but Parker ducks in and the pair are tied up once more. A much more interesting round with more tension with jeopardy throughout.
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