I think most fight fans can agree that when this huge night of boxing was first announced, it was not exactly what we wanted to hear. However, the Day of Reckoning is fast approaching, and we could be that much closer to seeing an Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder showdown.
Both Joshua and Wilder are boxing on the same bill on Saturday against different opponents, with the expectation that they will finally fight in Saudi Arabia next year.
There is no denying it- this Saturdays boxing extravaganza is mouth-watering. Boxing fans will be treated to an early Christmas present on December 23 when some of the sport’s great champions go head-to-head on what is one of the most-stacked cards in boxing history. It promises to be an action-filled night of entertainment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
View the latest boxing odds at Bovada!
Former two-time unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua goes up against Otto Wallin in the co-main event.
In the other co-main event, former WBO world champion Joseph Parker faces ‘Bronze Bomber’ and former WBC world title-holder Deontay Wilder.
Despite his impressive career resume, Joshua has received wide spread criticism for lack lustre performances with his hunger and desire for the sport he once dominated being brought in to question. In the build-up to this weekend’s event, Wilder has taken every opportunity to get under Joshua’s skin.
In a recent interview, Wilder said, “AJ seems to have lost the respect he once had. Now, with a few losses under his belt, everyone sees him as beatable and doesn’t hesitate to talk smack. That must be tough for him, going from widely respected to this. When I’m around him, I sense it. Joshua seems really nervous. They’re [Joshua’s corner] not sure how to handle me because they don’t know what I’m like in different scenarios. My calm demeanour at the press conference seemed to surprise him and many others.”
When Tyson Fury knocked out Deontay Wilder for the second time, it seemed that might be the end of his boxing career.
Fury proved to be Wilder’s kryptonite, having reigned as WBC heavyweight world champion for five years before ‘The Gypsy King’ came along and took it all away. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ was 40-0 before he encountered Fury, knocking out every man he faced in the ring, as he built a reputation for being arguably the hardest puncher in heavyweight boxing history.
Last year, Wilder bounced back, as he knocked out Robert Helenius in round one showing everyone that he remains one of the most dangerous men in the division.
Enjoy crypto gambling at Bovada!
Now he faces a difficult test against former WBO heavyweight world champion, Joseph Parker. That being said, Wilder is still favourite to emerge victorious this Saturday night.
Anthony Joshua knows he cannot afford to slip up against Otto Wallin, who is a tricky contender and most definitely not an easy opponent for what could well be a crossroads fight in his career. Wallin gave Tyson Fury hell in 2019 and sent the Brit to hospital for stitches on a cut over his eye.
Fury, who was not world champion at the time, went on to win on points before back-to-back wins over Deontay Wilder. Wallin has struggled to secure big fights since, but did beat Murat Gassiev in September 2023.
Joshua, meanwhile, has won two fights this year but will know he faces a step up in quality compared to Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.
Latest Boxing Odds
Just look at this for a Christmas night of boxing! Who is your money on? Here are our latest boxing odds –
Anthoy Joshua -425 vs Otto Wallin +325
Deontay Wilder -600 vs Joseph Parker +425
Dmitry Bivol (C) -3500 vs Lyndon Arthur +1100
Daniel Dubois -285 vs Jarrell Miller +215
Filip Hrgovic -5000 vs Mark De Mori +1500
Jai Opetaia -3500 vs Ellis Zorro +1200
