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.
Dmitry Bivol meets Lyndon Arthur in light-heavyweight title duel
Next up, pound-for-pound talent Dmitry Bivol is in action against Britain’s Lyndon Arthur.
Russian Bivol, who famously outpointed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2022, will defend his WBA light-heavyweight title against Arthur here. Meanwhile, Arthur puts the IBO belt on the line.
Arthur (23-1, 16 KOs) makes his ring walk first. The Mancunian is followed by Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), who is fittingly clad in gold.
Here we go! Twelve rounds scheduled.
Daniel Dubois beats Jarrell Miller in intriguing clash of heavyweights
Lots of respect between Dubois and Miller in the aftermath of that absolute war. Nice to see after a bit of an antagonistic build, though Miller seemed to be having fun with most of those antics.
In any case, many fans will have been happy to see the American lose – and by stoppage – there, after his history of failed drug tests.
For Dubois, a big win – perhaps the best of his career so far, and a fine way to bounce back from his stoppage loss to Usyk.
Cristiano Ronaldo ringside at Joshua v Wallin fight in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo ringside at Joshua v Wallin fight in Saudi Arabia
The footballing superstar moved to the Saudi Pro League in January
Daniel Dubois battles Jarrell Miller in intriguing clash of heavyweights
Round nine
Great start to the round for Dubois! He tags Miller hard with a right hand and adds a left hook, sneaking it around Miller’s guard.
STILL Miller marauds forward... A clean right hook lands for Dubois, but there’s not much power behind this one.
The heavyweights grapple in close, before Miller lands a right hook to the body.
Short right cross by Dubois, then an uppercut to the body. Miller looks so tired, he’s teetering around.
A good collection of jabs by Dubois. Each man lands a right cross.
One round to go!
Round 10
Dubois is finishing strong! A few brilliant uppercuts and hooks from the young Briton! Miller is leaning back on the ropes, he’s staggering around, but he won’t go down!
IT DOESN’T MATTER! The referee steps in with about 10 seconds left! Dubois seals a TKO with an onslaught of hooks!
Jai Opetaia fights Ellis Zorro as Day of Reckoning clips along
Round one
Twelve rounds scheduled. Opetaia stands southpaw, Zorro orthodox.
Heavy cross to the body by Opetaia, whose head is soon popped back by a decent counter jab.
Now Opetaia wings a left hook at the chest of Zorro. Again Opetaia loads up with a left cross to the body, before missing with a big swing upstairs!
Zorro again with a decent counter shot. OH!!!! BUT DOWN HE GOES!
Opetaia floors Zorro with a brutal left hook! And Zorro looks to be out, though his eyes are open...
He sits up, thank goodness.
Opetaia glanced low, totally deceiving Zorro before crushing the underdog with a sickening left hook.
Zorro fell back, with his head hitting the mat and the ropes as he landed.
It’s good to see Zorro standing and smiling as the result is read out.
Filip Hrgovic takes on Mark De Mori as Day of Reckoning continues
Round one
The two heavyweights stand orthodox. De Mori is visibly the shorter man. Both boxers land left hooks at the same time, before Hrgovic backs up the veteran.
Now the heavyweights trade body shots. Hrgovic easily finds a right cross, then another just a couple of seconds later, and De Mori looks away before taking a knee!
He takes his time before standing, giving himself the best possible chance of recovering. He beats the count and even lands a nice overhand right, shortly thereafter!
Hrgovic gets right after him, though, pummeling the 41-year-old with right hands! He’s warned for landing a few to the back of the head, but De Mori is turning away...
After that warning, the action resumes, and Hrgovic again lands right hands at will! In comes the towel from De Mori’s corner! It’s all over!!
Filip Hrgovic takes on Mark De Mori as Day of Reckoning continues
Next up, the unbeaten Filip Hrgovic takes on Australian veteran Mark De Mori!
De Mori, 41, is the biggest underdog on tonight’s card, so Hrgovic really could do with a statement win here.
The 31-year-old Croat, who has been touted as Anthony Joshua’s next opponent if “AJ” does not box Wilder, is full of potential but hasn’t always shown it.
Last time out, he stopped Demsey McKean (another Australian) in the 12th and final round, on the undercard of Joshua’s win over Robert Helenius in August.
Hrgovic, who also holds a controversial decision victory over Zhilei Zhang, is the IBF’s top-ranked heavyweight contender, meaning he could soon box the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Joshua could fight Hrgovic for that right...
Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa kicks off stacked Day of Reckoning fight card
Round six
Fa skips forward, missing with his first jab but landing the second. Sanchez needs to increase his activity here.
He steps in with a jab but just misses. Good counter cross by the Cuban, though! Fa is sporting some bruising on his left cheek, by the way.
Now Sanchez jabs to the body, and the boxers clinch. They separate, and Sanchez lands another clean right hand! He follows up with a left hook that is wide of the mark, however.
Fa with his own right cross, and another, and a jab! Good little spell for the Kiwi here.
OH! BUT OUT OF NOWHERE, SANCHEZ WITH A CROSS THAT DROPS FA!
Fa wobbled, grimaced, and fell to his knees! He beats the referee’s count, just before the bell signals the end of the round!
Round seven
You get the feeling that Sanchez will land that shot again...
And he does!! Inside the first minute of this round! He follows up with a left hook as Fa begins to fall, and the Kiwi is down again!
Again Fa beats the referee’s count, but he’s in trouble here!
Clean one-two by Sanchez, with Fa’s back on the ropes... Fa’s legs look weak underneath him. He eats another right straight.
ANOTHER knockdown! Fa clings on to the top rope after he’s tagged hard by yet another right cross, but it doesn’t keep him up!
He stands, but the referee waves it off. Good call. There was no point in Fa sustaining more damage.
Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa kicks off stacked Day of Reckoning fight card
Round five
We’re nearing the midway point of this bout.
Fa is still pressing forward, but he’s caught by Sanchez! The Cuban sees a left hook blocked but then sneaks that glove under Fa’s guard as an uppercut.
Now Sanchez with a heavy left hook to the body. Fa looks to get some respect back, jabbing at the favourite, but Sanchez is the more accurate boxer in that exchange with his own jab.
Sanchez blocks a cross but eats a jab. The heavyweights then briefly grapple, before the round ends with a sloppy combination from Sanchez, who ends up on his backside after being shoved while missing a couple of hooks!
Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa kicks off stacked Day of Reckoning fight card
Round one
Ten rounds scheduled, how many will we see? We’re under way!
Both men stand orthodox. Fa takes the centre of the ring early. He sends out a long, lead hook, but Sanchez blocks and fires back with an overhand right.
Now a nice counter jab by Sanchez! Good timing and speed on show. Another sharp jab.
This time it’s Fa with an accurate jab, but his follow-up right cross misses as Sanchez retreats.
Sanchez with a jab to the body now.
Round two
A one-two seems to just about land for Fa; his subsequent jab definitely connects.
Sanchez is looking to close distance, but Fa is frustrating him with frequent jabs. Even when those jabs aren’t landing, they’re making life tricky for Sanchez.
Sanchez jabs to the body, then puts one on the chest of Fa. Again he gets behind the jab, following up with a grazing right cross.
Now he jabs to the body again.
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