We will be seeing off the year 2023 with a blockbuster boxing event this weekend, as two massive heavyweight fights are on the way, in a battle of former world champions. The event, taking place this Saturday, December 23rd at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be headlined by Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, with another stellar contest Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker set as the co-main event.
A world title fight is also on the undercard, as WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol will be returning to action, defending his belt against former Commonwealth champion Lyndon Arthur.
Joshua’s next test is Otto Wallin
23/12/23 #RiyadhSeason #DayOfReckoninghttps://t.co/WadroN1Vl3 pic.twitter.com/P8TF2yqAc9
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) December 8, 2023
From suffering two consecutive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, the former WBA, WBO, and IBF champion in Joshua has been on a path of redemption and so far, has bounced back with two back-to-back wins this year—against Jermaine Franklin in April and Robert Helenius in August.
The Brit now looks to close the year with a third victory against Wallin, the former WBA Continental and Inter-Continental champion who is also on a 2-0 record this year, having defeated Helaman Olguin in January and Murat Gassiev in September.
Parker to lock horns against the “Bronze Bomber”
Having won the vacant IBF and WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight titles in October against Simon Kean, the former WBO champion Joseph Parker will be testing himself against another former champ, Deontay Wilder, the ex-WBC monarch.
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The “Bronze Bomber” has racked up a victory over Robert Helenius in 2022- his first victory since the consecutive setbacks against arch nemesis Tyson Fury. Parker, meanwhile, is on a 3-0 record since the loss against Joe Joyce in September 2022.
Lyndon Arthur next to challenge Dmitry Bivol’s WBA crown
Without any doubt, Lyndon Arthur is gearing up for the hardest test of his career, against the WBA’s 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol, the undefeated Russian who dominatingly stopped Canelo Alvarez in May last year and followed up with a unanimous decision win over Zurdo Ramirez in November.
For his part, Arthur is on a four fight win streak since his maiden professional loss in the rematch against Anthony Yarde in 2021. This year, “King Arthur” has defeated Boris Crighton and Braian Nahuel Suarez in March and September respectively.
#BivolArthur #RiyadhSeason #DayOfReckoning pic.twitter.com/bWVIXl2U14
— Dmitry Bivol (@bivol_d) November 15, 2023
The undercard will also feature the former WBC International and IBF International champion Filip Hrgovic, taking on Mark De Mori in a 12-round contest, while the former WBA (Regular) champion Daniel Dubois, coming off a loss to Usyk in August, will be taking on Jarrell Miller in a 10-round contest.
How to watch Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin & Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker in USA & UK?
Boxing fans can catch the live action on DAZN PPV for the price of £19.99.
What is the Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin & Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker time?
The event will start at 4 pm GMT / 9 am PT / 11 am CT, 12 pm ET, while the main event ringwalk is expected to commence from 11:45 pm GMT / 4:45 pm PT / 6:45 pm CT / 7:45 pm ET on Saturday, 23rd December.
Where are the fights taking place?
Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What are the betting odds for the fights and fight card?
- Heavyweight Main Event: Anthony Joshua (1.22) vs. Otto Wallin (4.33) [12 rounds]
- Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Deontay Wilder (1.16) vs. Joseph Parker (5.00) [12 rounds]
- WBA Light Heavyweight Title fight: Dmitry Bivol (1.05) (c) vs. Lyndon Arthur (10.00) [12 rounds]
- Heavyweight: Filip Hrgovic (1.01) vs. Mark De Mori (17.00) [12 rounds]
- Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois (1.28) vs. Jarrell Miller (3.75) [10 rounds]
- Heavyweight: Frank Sanchez (1.05) vs. Junior Fa (10.00) [10 rounds]
- Cruiserweight: Jai Opetaia (1.03) vs. Ellis Zorro (11.00) [12 rounds]
- Heavyweight: Arslanbek Makhmudov (1.10) vs. Agit Kabayel (6.50) [8 rounds]
To place a wager on this fight card, click here.
